Latest CD >>untitled<< reviewed

Australian Guitar Magazine reviews >>untitled<<This is Matt Kirsch's second release and it's a musical shift from his first, Translucent, which featured more straight-ahead modern jazz. While >>untitled<< still has jazzy elements, its focus is adult-oriented music, with vocally driven songs delivered
in a laidback manner.

There's a leisurely take on "Heartbreak Hotel" with some wonderfully phrased blues-jazz soloing reminiscent of Robben Ford, and two versions of Kirsch's folkish Three Sheets to the Wind" one of which (a hidden track) he plays with delicate acoustic fingerstyle while an uncredited female singer does a stirring job with vocals.

>>untitled<< is a delightful blend of sophisticated harmonies, smooth jazz and pop sensibilities.

Robert Santos

The Musicians

> Steve Hadley : I've known Steve since he was at the Victorian College of the Arts, even then a great versatile player, on acoustic gut string bass and electric - one of the best. Came in for the Baker Street sessions with Dave Beck (drums) and Joe Chindamo (piano). Steve was involved at the start when I began rehearsing songs for >>untitled<<. He plays on "All I See is The Blues".

> Ben Robertson : I was looking for a bassist for a trio gig at the Green Man with Darryn Farrugia. Darryn suggested Ben, a fellow student at the Victorian College of the Arts. At the first gig Ben blew me away with his musicality, "ears" and great chops on the double bass. That trio went on to play at the brand new jazz venue in Melbourne in 1993 - Bennetts Lane. Ben played on "Translucent" and for >>untitled<< he's on "Bossa Serenada", "Heartbreak Hotel", "When You Come Back" & "Nowhere Man".

> Hermann Schwaiger : I met Hermann years ago when I was playing in a cover band auditioning for a new bass player. He came along, played our stuff. He had just met some local guys who were into jazz and had taught him "Donna Lee" the Charlie Parker be-bop line over "Indiana". He played it for me on my guitar, I'd never heard anything like it before, growing up listening to classical and pop music. This was a different animal altogether. We started hanging out, practicing and playing gigs whenever we could. Hermann plays on "Three Sheets to the Wind".

> Evripedes Evripedou : A true virtuoso of the bass, Evri was still building his studio when I went out there for rehearsals with him and Darryn Farrugia. I had played bass on the demo versions of the songs and Evri listened to them and was very positive, encouraging me to play more bass. Thanks Evri!


> Colin Hopkins : Colin and I have played together since our VCA days. He plays piano and Fender Rhodes on Translucent and >>untitled<<, a great lyrical player who takes you on some wonderful musical journeys when he solos - check him out! Colin plays on "All I See Is The Blues", "Someday", "Nowhere Man", "I Hate Jazz", "So Now The Rain" and "When You Come Back".

> Joe Chindamo : Joe plays a cameo in "I Hate Jazz", when the band stops, he's there doing a crazy Oscar Peterson sort of thing, all over the piano like confetti on the wedding room floor.

> Craig Beard : Craig came in to Baker St and played on "So Now the Rain" and "All I See is The Blues". I like the way the vibes work with the piano and guitar, subtle yet distinctive.

> Dave Beck : I'd been playing with Dave in my jazz trio, and he was doing a lot of rock gigs as well. He was at the first rehearsals back in 02 and brought much positive energy and enthusiasm right through the project, exactly what was needed when my vibe was down a few notches. Dave plays on "All I See Is The Blues", "Nowhere Man', "Bossa Serenada", "Hey You Blues" and "When You Come Back".

> Fallon Williams : I met Fallon at a jam session organized by a mutual friend, Boon Ong. You could hear straight away this guy was a major player, with groove, power and serious chops. We recorded together when I wrote music for a documentary by Boon on the Australian Republic debate, "Changing Australia" (CD available soon), and again on >>untitled<< - Fallon plays on "Someday", Three Sheets to the Wind", "I Hate Jazz", "So Now The Rain" and "Heartbreak Hotel"