Matt Wilde - Find a Way (Hello World)[Jazz / Beats]

Matt Wilde is a Polish rooted, Manchester-born keyboard player and producer with a soft spot for fusing classy jazz and cultured beats - his first love, and wise enough to augment his musical vision with some choice collaborators, namely Aaron Wood's trumpet blowing, Stan Scott's bass playing and Oscar Ogden on beat augmenting percussion on Find Away, his new album.

He hit the ground running in 2021 with his debut EP for the keen eared DeepMatter, and hasn't stood still since. If that wasn't enough he's set up his own record label and is also a trustee of Manchester music charity Brighter Sound. There's no doubting where his passion lies.

The new album is all the things I mentioned above and more. Kicking off with good natured keys which are soon urged on by some fluid drums and warm, stand up bass, "Yellow Days" sets the tone nicely. Next up the LP title track which nods to Wilde's beat making roots with its warm percussive palette, electronic augmentation, Sunday morning trumpet infusion and sunny side of the street keys. Take it easy whilst you can though things are slowly building.

Skittering drums mark the arrival of, "Everyday Words" which bely the smoother 80s sounding jazz vibe floating over their impatient stick tapping. Cosmic infused and fusion funktified nu-jazz is the next port of call on "It's OK, I Feel It" with the keys alternating between exploring the universal consciousness and warming up the jazz dancers as the crew stretch out and have some fun. "Wind Up" does just that, Wood blowing hard over a low tempo but insistent riddim. A rare vocal track, albeit sampled rather than live, is next on the agenda and it's a feel good treat before the album winds down with three great, jazz rich instrumental hip hop cuts that round off this fine contribution to the UK Jazz continuum very nicely.

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Playlist Companion

Find Wilde in the Slow Hop and Slow Jazz Playlists.