RANDOLPH MATTHEWSForget the usual tags – ‘singer-songwriter’, ‘folk-soul’, ‘troubadour’. If you’ve caught Randolph Matthews live, either solo or with his band, you’ll understand. Randolph operates in his own parallel world, well away from traditional mainstream record label marketing formulae. His music is an evolving journey, a constant search for vocal freedom and uninihibited expression captured in the moment. Sure, you’ll hear echoes of Marvin, Jon Lucien and Shuggie Otis, influences in the true sense, never derivative, but also a unique, free-flowing spontaneity that takes in traditional song structures as much as impulsive, rhythmic breathing and passages sung in tongues.Born in Camden in 1973 to West Indian parents, Matthews’ early music schooling involved soaking up London’s burgeoning late-‘80s soul-jazz scene, including regular trips to Dingwalls, Paul Murphy’s Electric Ballroom nights and Norman Jay’s residency at Hoxton’s Bass Clef. A career in music beckoned. Aged 21, he started out as a percussionist before embarking on his journey as a talented arranger, guitarist and lyricist. By the 1990s he was playing sessions for the likes of US soul / boogie legend Don Blackman, recording with Julie Dexter for her ‘Nocturnal Flavours’ project and working with Arthur Baker on music for Brooklyn soul legend, Will Downing. Back then, he even remembers voicing a high profile ad for Twix chocolate – remember the Twix ‘In The Mix’ campaign?Since then, Matthews has graced an impressive series of forward-thinking projects in conjunction with some of London’s leading soulful musicians and producers, including two fruitful collaborations with hip hop DJ Rob Mac. First up, Speeka (for Ultimate Dilemma in 2001), matching low-slung hip hop breaks and basslines with well-crafted songs. Then, Gum Drop, bringing heavier P-funk, jazz fusion and electro arrangements to the table on their acclaimed ‘Hi-Falutin’ long player during 2006.Other projects have taken Matthews into deeper, more varied musical territory. He has been a key part of Truba, the trio backing performance poet Zena Edwards with raw, rhythmic sounds, upholding the griot tradition as music and poetry become a ‘conversation’. He has played live with Dillip Harris and Rob Galliano’s Two Banks Of Four with music rooted in the free, radical jazz of the late ‘60s. And, most recently, he has penned and recorded for Low Budget Soul, fusing dusty downtempo beats with lush soul arrangements. The project is now bearing fruits with some incredible stripped back future classics featuring the yearning guest vocals of Marcia Escoffery.Having earned the plaudits through collaborations and his stunning live shows, Autumn 2006 is Matthews’ time as a solo artist. His new recordings reflect the deep-rooted base under-pinning his music, a desire to experience the full potential of what music can do to affect other people’s lives, small ripples that may have wide-reaching resonance in the world at large. His debut set for Documented brings to the fore his personal, intimate delivery within seven varied acoustic pieces, all produced by Tony Nwachukwu (NEPA / CDR / Attica Blues). Tracks range from the epic, soaring ‘I Love’, building from an acoustic base to an overwhelming finale, to the jaw-dropping ‘Cohon Piece’, a masterpiece of freeform expression as Matthews chants and flows over raw percussive rhythms.Randolph Matthews’ debut mini-album is released may 2007 on Documented.---------------------------------Other projects / web references:
Low Budget Soul: www.myspace.com/futuristicamusic
Gum Drop / www.alteredvibes.comFor more information on releases, gigs and tours contact:
[email protected]
--DISCOGRAPHYAlbumsGum Drop – Hi-Falutin’ (Altered Vibes, 2006)
Low Budget Soul – Strangers To The Ordinary (Abstract Blue, 2005)
Speeka - Bespoke (Ultimate Dilemma, 2001)SinglesGum Drop – Sinking Feeling / (Keeps On) Burning (Altered Vibes, 2005)
Gum Drop – Risin’ (Altered Vibes, 2006)
Low Budget Soul feat. Marcia Escoffery – You Are The One (Original / Yam Who mixes) (Abstract Blue, 2005)
Low Budget Soul – When I Call (Original / Kev Brown mix) (Futuristica Music, 2006)LiveGum Drop / UK tour dates, 2006
Low Budget Soul / UK tour dates, 2006
Truba feat. Zena Edwards / support for Angelique Kidjo, Royal Festival Hall, 2004, WOMAD festival, 2005
Two Banks Of Four – Scandinavian tour + support for Matthew Herbert, Queen Elizabeth Hall, 2005
Speeka European tour, 2001
Don Blackman, Jazz Café, 1999SessionsPlan B album (679 Recordings, 2006): Backing Vocals
Michelle Escoffery new recordings, 2006: Backing Vocals
Sandboy – Call Out CD (Hinterland, 2004)
Ty – Rain (Ninja Tune, 2004)Other writingRoger Robinson, 2001
Mozez, Zero 7, 2000
Arthur Baker / Will Downing, 2000
Words Were Feelings
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