Matt Jenson

One Drops, Spirituals & Riddim: This is Acid Reggae

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Imagine the Marley vibration and add tremendously inspired jazz and blues influenced soloing. This album aims to break out of stereotypical reggae molds, while staying true to the roots vibration.

tracks

: 1 Sun Is Shining
: 2 Love & Fear
: 3 Trip Let
: 4 Step Back
: 5 Sweet Quiet Rain
: 6 Ska'round
: 7 Dubb
: 8 Dubble Bubble
: 9 Gospel
: 10 Meditation
: 11 Infinite
: 12 Fear No More

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genres you will love

World: Reggae
Reggae: Calypso

By Location

USA: Mass. - Boston

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notes

Keyboardist, composer and singer Matt Jenson (Ronnie Earl, Mighty Sam McClain, Johnny Adams, Los Pleneros del Coco) takes from his experience as a blues, jazz and Afro-Cuban player and injects these influences into his real passion, Reggae. He has assembled his closest musical bredren to independently produce this debut recording, One Drops, Spirituals and Riddim. In fact, it's just his closeness and mutual respect, along with Matt's brilliant compositions and vision that gives this CD such a deep vibe...from start to finish.

This CD certainly begins to break out of the stereotypical Reggae mold and contributes to it a much needed breath of fresh air. The music sticks tightly to the groove while quite inspired solos are laid on top. It's a concept CD that begs to be listened to from begining to end. There is an amazing story being told.

Bob Weiner (Harry Belafonte, Kenny Werner, Andy Statman and co-author of "Afro-Cuban Rhythms for Drumset"), drummer of the highest calibre, teams with bassist Danny Mo (James Mongtomory, Calypso Hurricane) to produce some of the most sublime and spacious One Drops ever, while guitarist Morris Acevedo (Either Orchestra, Arnett Cobb) adds his creative, cool yet aggressive personality to the mix. Saxophonist Matt Langley (Charlie Kohlhase Quintet) plays effortlessly beautiful solos echoing the freedom call of John Coltrane and the coolness of Dexter Gordon. Mark Paquin (Bim Skala Bim) and the sound of his trombone is as fat as it gets while the harmonies of Mary Edes adds a heavenly touch to the well-crafted vocal parts. All of this backed by Matt's performances on Hammond organ, piano and Rhodes leaves no room for doubt that this is an album of substance, a true contribution to reggae, to music and to humanity.

reviews

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Incredibly intelligent and soulful music. Reggae, yes, but much more.
author: Steve Jointer
This CD is a fantastic piece of artistic work...from the liner layout, photographs, inspiring text to the music itself. It's a truly heartfelt project. I come away from listening to it saying that it's definately reggae, but unlike I've ever heard before. It's not your typical Rasta inspired work. Jenson is really breaking out of the traditional reggae stereotype. Thank god! The only cover on it is Marley's Sun is Shining, an overdubbed "4 hands" solo piano version. The rest of the CD has a coehsive vibe to it that takes you on a totally groovin' trip and then hits you with downright spiritual, understated vibes as with "Infinate" a 10 minute early Santanaesque meditation that makes you melt. Jenson's singing isn't bad too. Three of the tunes have some pretty tight vocals. "Step Back", the only one with a full-out vocal verse puts forth a very grounded and much needed message for these times. The instrumental reggae tunes put forth some amazing solos, especially from the Saxophonist, Matt Langley...well, everyone on the CD plays damn well. I'd say that the CD represents a noble first stab at trying to define a very new take on Reggae music that ultimately needs more development. I wouldn't quite call it "Acid Reggae" as that implies something that I'd expect to be more harsh than what is offered on this CD. I'd love to hear another project from Jenson!
Freakin' Awesome!
author: Rubb Dubb
So Damn Good.