MATTHEW STEVENS - Woodwork
(Whirlwind WR4677)
Matthew Stevens -guitar; Gerald Clayton -piano; Vincente Archer - bass; Eric Doob -drums; Paula Stagnara - percussion.
NYC-based guitarist Matthew Stevens is still unknown in the UK, but his CV suggests that he deserves our attention, as he’s already come to the notice of artists as diverse as Christian Scott, Harvey Mason and Esperanza Spalding, with whom he’s touring. This is his debut for Whirlwind, and it displays both his impressive chops and his accomplished diversity as a composer. ‘Ashes’ is a duet for guitar and Afro-latin percussion. ‘Star LA’ offers a take on fusion, grounded by acoustic bass and given breadth and texture by washes of keyboard and guitar synth, before breaking down into Metheny-esque acoustic guitar and piano trades. Gerald Clayton impresses on piano.
The rhythm arrangements are tight and creative, the writing treads the line between jazz and the kind of acoustic fusion favoured by Scott. The crisp recording captures the sound of the band beautifully, especially on the extended moods of ‘Sunday’ and the slick funk of “Grown Ups”. “Brothers” establishes a brooding, minimal bluesey intensity. It’s an extremely accomplished debut, and the standard of playing can’t be faulted, but despite the best efforts of drum/percussion team Eric Doob and Paula Stagnara there’s an overall sheen of politeness that makes it rather easy to fade into the background over the course of the CD. “Gut Check” breaks the mould with another multi-layered drum/guitar duet that captures the attention midway through.
Reviewed by Eddie Myer
(Whirlwind WR4677)
Matthew Stevens -guitar; Gerald Clayton -piano; Vincente Archer - bass; Eric Doob -drums; Paula Stagnara - percussion.
NYC-based guitarist Matthew Stevens is still unknown in the UK, but his CV suggests that he deserves our attention, as he’s already come to the notice of artists as diverse as Christian Scott, Harvey Mason and Esperanza Spalding, with whom he’s touring. This is his debut for Whirlwind, and it displays both his impressive chops and his accomplished diversity as a composer. ‘Ashes’ is a duet for guitar and Afro-latin percussion. ‘Star LA’ offers a take on fusion, grounded by acoustic bass and given breadth and texture by washes of keyboard and guitar synth, before breaking down into Metheny-esque acoustic guitar and piano trades. Gerald Clayton impresses on piano.
The rhythm arrangements are tight and creative, the writing treads the line between jazz and the kind of acoustic fusion favoured by Scott. The crisp recording captures the sound of the band beautifully, especially on the extended moods of ‘Sunday’ and the slick funk of “Grown Ups”. “Brothers” establishes a brooding, minimal bluesey intensity. It’s an extremely accomplished debut, and the standard of playing can’t be faulted, but despite the best efforts of drum/percussion team Eric Doob and Paula Stagnara there’s an overall sheen of politeness that makes it rather easy to fade into the background over the course of the CD. “Gut Check” breaks the mould with another multi-layered drum/guitar duet that captures the attention midway through.
Reviewed by Eddie Myer
