8th February 2016: ‘Woodwork’ by Matthew Stevens gets ★​★​★​★★ from Jazz Journal + review from Jazzwise.

NYC-based Guitarist and composer Stevens is heralded as one of the most promising young artists in contemporary jazz music through his associations with NEXT Collective, Christian Scott, Esperanza Spalding, Terri Lyne Carrington, Walter Smith III, and Harvey Mason. Now Stevens comes fully into his own with his debut recording as a leader.

The album’s title, Woodwork, Stevens says, reflects the almost tactile way in which he creates music. “It’s a metaphor for how I see myself interacting with sound. Woodwork is an act of creation in collaboration with the natural world; it invokes a sense of being handmade or one of a kind. These raw materials exist regardless of whether or not you do something with them, so I try to respect that and let the music unfold naturally.”

Here are the highlights from the latest reviews:

“An impressive debut from a musician with real flair and imagination.”
★​★​★​★★ Jazz Journal (scroll down)

“The crisp recording captures the sound of the band beautifully… an extremely accomplished debut.”
Jazz Views (full review)