FIRST OF FIVE

Matthew Halsall “Fletcher Moss Park” is the  first of my five albums that have grabbed me this year.

Though “grab” is probably a misnomer for this offering. It’s possibly one of the most relaxed and “chilled” albums I have heard in a long time.

A strange one to be reviewing in December. But if it’s your want to lie down somewhere in the grass on a hot summers day and listen to slow music while you drift off, then this is the one for you.

Halsall is a trumpet player and composer from Manchester and the album title is derived from a fairly well known oasis in Manchester.

Trumpet, sax, piano and strings – including harp, but this is by no means a “strings” album (though I do like a good “strings” album).

This is akin to what some call “ambient” music. But played on real instruments – with none of the awful electronic jiggery pokery that blighted ambient music in the 80’s and 90’s.

Simple bass hooks are built on by gentle spiritual trumpet and sax to create a truly beautiful hour of music.

Imagine Nils Petter Molvær “meets” Pharaoh Sanders or John Coltrane.