Anything But Time [CD]

Since emerging on the British blues scene 7 years ago, Matt Schofield has never ceased to amaze his audience and with the release of `Heads, Tails & Aces' in 2009, he finally received the recognition he truly deserves being awarded 'Best British Blues Guitarist' and 'Best British Blues Album' at the 2010 British Blues Awards. After embarking on his first US tour last year, Matt Schofield has been taking his music to the world playing concerts in Canada, Europe and Asia where he also jammed alongside Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang and Shemekia Copeland at the Mumbai Blues Festival in India.

Matt Schofield is once again at his compelling best playing guitar & vocals on 'Anything But Time' released this month by Nugene Records, that features new drummer Kevin Hayes (ex Robert Cray Band) along with regular stalwart and keyboard wizard Jonny Henderson, who unconventionally also plays bass on keys and was voted 'Best British Keyboard Player' at the 2010 British Blues Awards. Produced by John Porter and recorded in New Orleans, three of the ten tracks also include special guest Jon Cleary on keys to add that distinct New Orleans feel to proceedings. All but two of the songs on 'Anything But Time' are co-written with Dorothy Whittick, leaving renditions of Steve Winwood's 'At Times We Do Forget' and Albert King's 'Wrapped Up In Your Love' to acknowledge some of his influences. 'The opening title track `Anything But Time' puts you straight in the groove and there is plenty to admire here from the slow burning 'See Me Through' to the blues driven 'Where Do I Have To Stand' and 'Don't Know What I'd Do', although the inclusion of the rap tinged 'One Look (And I'm Hooked) was perhaps a little surprising? The upbeat 'Shipwrecked' is also well worth a mention along with the excellent 'Share Our Smile Again' that closes the set, but the pick of the crop has to be the sublime Hendrix fuelled 'Dreaming Of You' that a lot of fans will soon hope to experience live!

Matt Schofield as always is able to eloquently express himself through his guitar without being overly self indulgent, but what also makes this album so special like its predecessor, is the way it successfully blends genres allowing music to be played 'on the edge' with a sense of adventure whilst at the same time remaining tight and cohesive.

'Anything But Time' confirms Matt Schofield as one of the most innovative guitarists in the world today, able to seamlessly fuse blues with jazz, funk and rock and after listening to this... I'm sure you'll agree!

I won't go into any detail like other reviewers. I have all Matt's records and this one is still more impressive, fun, interesting, and surprising than the others. "Surprising" because I did not expect him to continue raising his level of guitar playing and singing, which seemed to be right at the top on the previous album already. Matt should become a legend, he has the right stuff, and he belongs the club of the greats.
Get this asap, PLUS all his other Cd's. MUST HAVE.

Matt Schoifield is the best blues rooted guitarist Britain has ever produced, and having seen him several times over recent years that again and again is confirmed.I saw his recent tour in UK promoting this new album and he was better than ever.Alongside keyboard king Jonnie Henderson and drummer Kevin Hayes (ex Robert Cray and a host of other blues big names to his CV0, Matt has brought to us an album superbly played throughout,his playing and vocals are excellent throughout.As he said playing and recording in New Orleans a city that lives and breathes music brought a vibe to his time there to produce surely the years best blues album by quite some distance, produced by one of the best producers there is and add piano ew Orleans based Jon Cleary and a whole album of original songs plus one cover as Matt always does on his albums.Following his short UK tour he's got forty plus dates in the USA before co-headlining the North Sea Festival with the likes of BB King,Paul Simon and Tom Jones.Tat's how good he is.He will before long be filling arena's around the world,so although I've not mentioned particular tracks because throughout the songs are of the highest quality and equally enjoyable.Do get to hear this amazing set because this is one stunningly talented artist that is gonna take some beating for the next several years.Already my blues album of ther year,better still album of the year in modern music.