MATTHEW HALSALL Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Matthew Halsall initially crafted Bright Sparkling Light as an exclusive for his 2023 EU and UK tour. He then decided to put it out on vinyl and has now put together this special Japanese Edition which features its three exquisite suites, each averaging seven to ten minutes. Halsall's affinity for hypnotic drones, tenor sax progressions intertwined with lush flute loops and evocative depictions of Newborough Forest shine through here on an album that beautifully bridges the transition from dewy morning to creeping crepuscule. It's a natural, organic soundtrack from one of jazz finest contemporary talents.

Review: Reissued on Gondwana after an unexpected sea-change, Matthew Halsall's Bright Sparkling Light was originally conceived as a tour-only exclusive, its three exquisites, averaging seven to ten minutes per suite, serving only the most loyal and dedicated of fans eager enough to clasp their mitts around the limited edition at the time of his EU and UK tour in October-November 2023. Now, its rarefied airs get dropped; so too do the folk scramble to lend it a second listen, discovering Halsall's preference for hypnotic drones, tenor sax progressions crafted around lush flute loops, and portrayals of the artist's favourite rural location: Newborough Forest, both at daytime and nighttime. 'The Tide And The Moon' is the closing highlight, nicely closing the gap between dewey morning and crept-in crepuscule.

Review: Matthew Halsall continues to serve as a true devotee of spiritual jazz in the UK with his stellar new album An Ever Changing View. Restlessly prolific and drawing from a seemingly bottomless well of ideas, Halsall approached this record as a reset of sorts, affording himself freedom to explore sound in all aspects. The end result remains true to his velvet-smooth approach, delivering understated instrumental flourishes around delicate grooves to make for the gentlest of access points for the labyrinthe halls of jazz, but as ever there's much nuance and complexity bedded into these delicate compositions to yield new discoveries over repeated listens.

Review: Matthew Halsall's trajectory as a leading light of spiritual jazz in the UK continues apace with his stellar new album An Ever Changing View. Restlessly prolific and drawing from a seemingly bottomless well of ideas, he approached this record as a reset of sorts, affording himself freedom to explore sound in all aspects. The end result remains true to his velvet-smooth approach, delivering understated instrumental flourishes around delicate grooves to make for the gentlest of access points for the labyrinthe halls of jazz, but as ever there's much nuance and complexity bedded into these delicate compositions to yield new discoveries over repeated listens.