Here’s a little treat to start your day off on the right foot. 10 minutes of awesome jazz from the Rainy City. Yes, for the next 48 hours you can grab this beautiful interpretation of ‘John Coltrane’ by one of Manchester’s favourite jazz sons, Matthew Halsall for the price of an email address.
Unleashed by one of London’s more renowned independent record labels Wah Wah 45s, in anticipation of Matthew and his jazz trio playing at the Wah Wah Live event at The Scala this Saturday night, we understand you can download the tune from the Wah Wah 45s Bandcamp until this Saturday 8th November, so be quick!
Originally recorded by Matthew at the BBC Maida Vale Sessions earlier this year, it a beautiful take on a spiritual jazz classic released on the much revered Strata East label back in the 1970s and composed by the American jazz bassist William James Edwards “Bill” Lee III (father of film maker Spike Lee, obscure fact fans). There’s been many versions recorded over the years and while the Clifford Jordan version is potentially one of the most sublime jazz tracks we’ve ever heard, Matthew more than matches it with his own Mancunian flourishes.
Matthew Halsall ‘John Coltrane’
Furthermore, make sure to check Matthew’s latest opus ‘Fletcher Moss Park’ which came out a month ago on his own Gondwana Records imprint and can be picked up via his own Bandcamp page. It’s his fourth full-length and see’s him further explore the themes brought forward on his three previous efforts. If you like your jazz deep and spiritual in the style of John and Alice Coltrane, this album is a must and continually showcases the talents of one of Britain’s brightest jazz talents.
Listen and buy Matthew Halsall ‘Fletcher Moss Park’
As for this Saturday’s Wah Wah 45s show at Scala London, you can peep the flyer below for all the info. Tickets are £17.50 in advance and as well as catching Matthew’s unique brand of live jazz in person, you’ll also find on the bill amongst others, a rare DJ set from Berlin’s Jazzanova, the legendary Trojan Sound System dropping the dub plate pressure and nine-piece dub reggae sensations, Resonators live on stage. A BIG Saturday session planned just like there used to be!