Matt Ray - We Got It (2001)

Tracklist

01. We Got It
02. Fish Night
03. El Gaucho
04. Think Of One
05. The Great Paper Chase
06. The Star Crossed Lovers
07. Happier Than The Morning Sun
08. Sippin At Bells
09. Not Long Now
10. Vista

Pianist Matt Ray was only 28 years old when he recorded We Got It!, a promising debut album that unveils a wonderfully understated piano player searching for his voice. The songs here are actually quite diverse, including everything from a laid-back cover of Stevie Wonder's "Happier Than the Morning Sun" to the spaced-out slow jazz of "Think of One" to the winding horns and stuttered beats of "Great Paper Chase." His excellent piano playing takes front and center as he flows from track to track effortlessly. Unfortunately, the album still does not seem as though it has a distinct direction, despite all of the quality music found here. This may be because the album is his first, but it does detract from the overall feel of the album. This is still a good debut album, and would be of interest to any fan of piano-based modern jazz.

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