This was my first professional release album.  It was produced by acclaimed producer Georges Kouakou who also produced Alpha Blondy's classic album Jerusalem.  Georges has also toured internationally backing such Reggae legends as The Wailers, Burning Spear, and Culture.  Junior Marvin of Bob Marley and The Wailers played lead guitar on tracks 2 and 12.  The album was mixed and mastered by the legendary Jim Fox of Lion and Fox studios who has recorded and mixed many reggae greats, notably Israel Vibration.  I wrote all the songs of this album with the exception of African Queen, although I did write the verses since Georges couldn't remember the original verses. This album got picked up by the european record label Sankofa Blackstar, who put me on tour in the Fall of 2004 playing 15 cities throughout France on the bill with Clinton Fearon of the Gladiators and The Viceroys.  I made this record during a pretty serious Christian phase of my life, hence the gospel orientation.  Copyright 2004 Mateo Monk Music.  All rights reserved.

Final Days

Conspiracies

The music of Mateo Monk is beyond classification. It is a synthesis of multiple genres of world roots music, heavily informed by the spontaneous freedom of psychedelic jam culture. Mateo performs solo on the guitar, flute, synthesizer, and melodica, utilizing a looper pedal to create fully-textured rhythms, adorned with virtuosic melodic musings, all seamlessly woven into the song form in real time. It's a modern spin on the iconic idea of the "one man band", executed by a one-of-a-kind artist with deep emotional sensibility and dazzling instrumental finesse. Mateo has been performing for 23 years and has worked with many influential artists, including Thievery Corporation, Junior Marvin of Bob Marley and The Wailers, and members of the legendary reggae group Culture. 

Final Days

Mateo Monk Music

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