Matt Marshak -
Groovosphere
"These
little town blues, are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it - in old New York.
If I can make it there, Ill make it anywhere.
It's up to you - New York, New York."
A
Long Island, New York native, Matt Marshak knew at an early age guitar
and music would be his life and passion. Richard Rabatin introduced
him to the sounds of Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, Cornell Dupree, and
George Benson. Matt's pavestones are "Preservation" (2001),
"This Time Around" (2004) and now his new album "Groovosphere"
(2006). Besides his music Matt's secret of success is networking. Matt
is frequently touring to build his audience. He is interesting radio
stations like Ted Hasiuks Jazz Cafe in Canada, England's Echo Smooth
Jazz and Jeff Charney's KC show. He joined other networks like Kemistre.
He founded the Nuance Music
Group. He is really doing his homework.
Featured on his new project are Billy
Heller (Rippingtons), Chris Kent (Larry Carlton), Ron Jenkins (Chuck
Loeb), David Mann and Barry Danielian (Tower of Power), Tim Regusis,
Mike Ricchuiti (Patti Austin), Mario Cruz (Jaco Pastorius), De'adre
Aziza, Dean Kraus (Taylor Dane), Chris Marshak, Kenny Harris (Toby
Lightman), Jeff Feinstein, Robert Meeks.
Starting the album with New
York Ave. Matt Marshak's impetus to impress the audience
with musical power is obvious. The loudness is high and there is a
great bunch of instruments impacting me like the allpowerfull. The
stomping melody with a great hook says it clearly, we gonna have a
hit.
I really like the intro of Montauk
Moon. The melody is accessible and sultry. The drum and
bass programming could be a bit more sophisticated and variable. The
art of David Mann's sax and Matt Marshak's guitar nevertheless conciliate
the critics.
On Always
Matt sets the signal to funky and this is a refreshing appeal. De'adre
Aziza is scatting accompanied by Mario Cruz on sax and Matt's guitar.
De'adre Aziza earned already some merits at the Classical Theatre of
Harlem. Certainly not her last role as a guest star on a cjazz
album.
Summerfunk
is the first single of the album. Nice guitar riffs with tricky wah
guitar inclusion. David Mann (sax) and Barry Danielian (trumpet) are
serving the first-class horn section.
Show Me
is capturing your attention with the pick-up-the pieces-effect.
Wind Chill
Factor is that tune Matt promised with the album title
Groovosphere: Spherical chill-out with nice guitar-riffs.
The song Did
You Know is dedicated to Matt's wife Dionne. Matt's tender
voice and his smooth guitar is caressing listener's ears.
Across The
Pond is Matt's self-made-production with a hypnotic and
repeating melody.
Could It Be
You is another funky horn. De'adre Aziza is breathing her
micro, while Jeff Feinstein's wurlitzer is ruting. A real burner.
Summertime
has the same soul-inspired vibration like Could It Be You. A great
part of this impression is due to Mario Cruz' awesome horn
arrangement.
Big Skye Dream
is Matt's imagination of a wide open landscape incorporated
with his guitar and a lot of reverb.
Moon Man
is nothing to dream of but to dance with. A pulsing beat comparable
with DTTB's style.
La Tabla
is a dedication to the Indian percussion instrument. Of course a
rhythm oriented tune.
Honestly is
a bluesy solo guitar tune which could be performed in a smoky tavern.
Matt Marshak's Groovosphere opens a
new dimension for the audience: Matt's personal interpretation of
guitar music. Larry Carlton's inspiration has fallen on fertile soil.
