Baker, Matt / Underground
Album: Underground   Collection:Jazz
Artist:Baker, Matt   Added:Dec 2011
Label:Self-Release  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2011-12-18 Pull Date: 2012-02-19 Charts: Jazz
Week Ending: Feb 12 Feb 5 Jan 29 Jan 22 Jan 15 Jan 8 Jan 1
Airplays: 2 2 1 2 2 2 1

Recent Airplay
1. Oct 20, 2016: No Cover, No Minimum
Mood Indigo
4. Aug 10, 2012: No Cover, No Minimum
Underground
2. Nov 15, 2013: No Cover, No Minimum
Underground
5. Feb 10, 2012: No Cover, No Minimum
Refuge
3. Dec 28, 2012: No Cover, No Minimum
Mood Indigo
6. Feb 07, 2012: Rebop
Underground

Album Review
Fo
Reviewed 2011-12-10
MATT BAKER: Underground
self-released, 2011

MODERN JAZZ – Debut release from an Australian pianist, now based in New York and joined by a solid band, including Bay Area saxophonist Dayna Stephens. Baker has a tender, longing touch at the keys and an elusively moody postbop style that often sits midway between hard swing and ballad, with a bittersweet, soulful air. Gregory Hutchinson really stands out on drums; everybody feeds off his energy.

Fo’s Picks: 2, 3, 4

1. 3:12 – trio: modernized standard, elastic piano against steady uptempo beat
2. 10:27 – urban night: bustling theme, ballad-like solos, dissonant peak
3. 7:16 – trio standard in odd meter: light, loping feel, piano solo stretches out
4. 9:52 – tough/tender stride; prodding trumpet, muttering sax, angular piano
5. 9:48 – hushed trio ballad, all gentle curves, piano reaches for the horizon
6. 7:14 – gentle and soulful with Fender Rhodes and introspective sax
7. 5:01 – solo piano, a calm stroll
8. 7:31 – catchy, subdued melody: piano treads carefully, sax adds vigor

[ Fo ] - December 2011

Track Listing
1. If I Were A Bell   5. Central Park North
2. Underground   6. Island Of Many Hills
3. Mood Indigo   7. The Gypsy
4. Refuge   8. Away