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Singer-songwriter Matt York has a bluesy swagger reminiscent
of Marc Broussard and the gospel-soul timbres of Ben Harper.
York's latest release, Mine, from Rock Ridge Music is canopied
in fluffy spreads of jazz horns, funky soul grooves, and folksy blues
guitar aerials. His songs are made to be enjoyed in big, open areas
like in parks and social gatherings where masses of people can come
together and feel linked with the prodding of York's songs.
The reggae grooves of "Someday" are shingled in bluesy-toned
organ strips played by Scott Galloway and a funky soul feathering
in York's vocal melody with a guitar solo from Mike Todd that
reaches up to the sky. The lounging beats of bassist Jaret Koop
and drummer Ben Rollo in "Give Me Love" are nestled
in spores of smooth soul camphor, and the sparse piano melody dusting
across "Those Days" gives York's vocals an Alicia Keys-like
glow. The finger-snapping beats of "Lucky Man" embroider
York's bluesy swagger with a catchy phrasing as he sings, "In
love with surprises, in love with shooting stars / We're passionate
and grateful for the moments shared so far / Like sleeping on your
back porch in the snow / I always feel like saying, but you already
know that / Baby, I'm a lucky man."
The country-folk settings of "Hard Days" are bordered
in gospel-swagged vocal choruses and mournful organ hues all coming
together in unity. York kicks up the tempo in the title track with
brisk vocal movements and toe tapping beats that prop up the dance
vibe through the melody, while the a capella verses of "Death
Came A Knockin'" have a porch-folk design made for sitting
outside on the front stoop with friends. The delicate brushed strokes
of the guitar strums moving across "It's All Fire" ring
with a homey folk feel, which switches to a gospel-soul palette
on "Now And Then," and dashes of sizzling jazz horns in
"Tomorrow." The cuts of saxophone swells rolling across
"Tomorrow" and "Let Me Go" give these tracks
a jazz-soul flavoring that refurbishes jazz accents in pop music.
Matt York and his band have put together an album that is made
to be played in big, open areas. The songs link people together
and raise their consciousness as a whole. It's as if the United
Nations was transformed into music form. Now if only the UN could
do what Matt York's songs can do at a public gathering.
-Susan Frances
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