Song of the Day: When It Comes Together – Matt Wilde x [ K S R ]

Following the widespread success of his debut album ‘Hello World’ last year, which found support across BBC Radio 6, BBC Radio 2, Jazz FM and more, Manchester based-pianist and producer MATT WILDE returns with a smooth offering taken from his forthcoming ‘It’s A Delight’ EP. A celebration of Manchester’s fertile nu-jazz and soul scene, ‘When It Comes Together’ sees Matt connect with altsoul wordsmith [ K S R ] for a Robert Glasper-esque, piano-led hip-hop beat with heartfelt lyrics exploring human connection.

Out now via DeepMatter Records, Matt comments: “This track explores the magic of unity and collaboration. The soulful vocals and intricate production highlight the beauty of coming together to create something meaningful.”

Matt’s ‘It’s A Delight’ EP is a heartfelt exploration of everyday joys and human connection. The fivetrack EP captures the essence of wilful gladness and beauty found in ordinary moments, with Matt weaving a reflective, uplifting musical narrative through his melody-driven approach to improvisation and composition. Soothing, warm harmonic choices sit front and centre on meditative pieces like ‘Trying To Be Kind’ and ‘Timekeepers’, whilst electric moments of joyous collaboration
occur on RH Factor-leaning cut ‘Good Things Happen’, featuring trumpet player Aaron Wood (Secret Night Gang, Olivia Dean).

On the EP, Matt shares: “It’s a Delight is an exploration of the small joys that make life meaningful. The project was a collaborative effort that brought new perspectives and layers to the music. This EP celebrates the everyday moments that bring us together and the joy that grows when shared.”

A fast-rising artist known for his lyrical, virtuosic and jazz-tinged approach to keys playing and production, Matt Wilde is a key part of the Manchester scene that’s played a huge role in the growing international success of UK jazz. Cutting his teeth producing for local grime artists including Prose and Bugzy Malone before going on to collaborate with Brownswood Records’ Secret Night Gang and HMD, he’s a multi-faceted artist with an in-demand creative approach. His music has received widespread support from tastemakers including Gilles Peterson, Huey Morgan and Deb Grant, and he’s been spotlighted in publications including the Big Issue, all whilst growing his own social media channels and building a strong community across YouTube and Instagram.

Listen to ‘When It Comes Together’ below…

Song of the Day: So Much More – Quinn Oulton

London-based multi-instrumentalist & songwriter QUINN OULTON‘s first single of 2024, ‘So Much More’, is a poignant reflection upon the life of his grandmother, who lived with Parkinson’s Disease for as long as he can remember.

Written from the perspective of Quinn’s grandmother, the track details her fighting spirit and love for life, despite the adversities she faced. It’s a deeply moving tribute to a woman who had no time for self-pity, but spent a lifetime pouring love into the world and helping others. Quinn contrasts his tender lyrical approach with a frenetic combination of acoustic guitar, electronics and dulcet saxophone tones, creating a musical representation of the complexities of living with Parkinson’s.

On the track, he shares: “This track is dedicated to my grandma, GK, who had Parkinson’s for almost as long as I can remember. She was cheated out of life experiences, but despite being born into unimaginably difficult circumstances and fighting for a life she was proud of, she didn’t wallow in self-pity. Instead, she took it upon herself to learn every dark detail about the disease that was eating away at her, and focused her brilliant mind on helping others in any way they needed.”

South London-based multi-instrumentalist, vocalist & producer Quinn Oulton is known for his unique concoction of electronic, indie and jazz. His recent releases bring contemporary RnB elements into the mix – expect heavily altered vocals, chopped acoustic guitars and fast-paced drums.

His debut album ‘Alexithymia’ was released in 2022, receiving national radio support from Gilles Peterson & Huey Morgan (6 Music), Jack Saunders & Sian Eleri (BBCR1), along with Jamie Cullum (BBCR2)& Jamz Supernova (BBC1Xtra). It includes tracks featuring Moses Boyd and Genevieve Artadi. The deluxe version of the album, released in 2023, features singers Ella Grace and Monica Martin, whilst recent singles have also seen him team up with the likes of Reuben James, Linden Jay and Col3trane. He has recently played supported artists including KNOWER, Laura Misch and Jamie Cullum, and is set to embark on his first UK headline tour this November.

Have a listen to ‘So Much More’ below…

Multi-instrumentalist Jerk roll out new album with hip-hop cut ‘I Don’t Question You’.

JERK returns to some of their core influences, embracing vulnerability, and an authentic experience of the self on the forthcoming ‘Mood Swings’ album. The second single from the record ‘I Don’t Question You’, sees them team up with close friend and MC Ryan J, for a Dilla-meets Quasimoto style beat. Ryan perfectly channels the overarching themes of the album into poetic ciphers dealing with life’s pressure to answer to and appease others, advocating for choosing to fight for your own truth.

The upcoming album is an eclectic collection of pieces spanning varying compositional and production styles, captured on analogue instrumentation. Warm saxophone tones, glistening Fender Rhodes and cyclical beats encompass the project, with weaving synths adding to Jerk’s tapestry of sounds. Lead single ‘27’ set about introducing some of the themes at the core of the album, including trans-rights and gender identity, marking both Jerk’s age at the time of creating the record, whilst also putting a critical microscope to American lawmakers’ attempts to raise the age of consent for medical transitioning.

The project channels some of Jerk’s earliest influences, taking onboard the beatmaking sensibilities of J Dilla and Madlib, the Brazilian rhythms and textures of Hermeto Pascoal, and the uplifting sonics of Patrice Rushen and Earth Wind & Fire.

Jerk shares: “Mood Swings is a collection of 12 pieces reflecting on gender and mental health. 2022 was a year of political strife for transgender people in America, and a time where I was experiencing some intense emotions–dysphoria, derealization, grief, and romantic love and loss. I wanted to write music embracing this very authentic and vulnerable experience of self.”

Jerk is the brainchild of composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Joshua Kinney. Based in Brooklyn, NY, they explore the connection between jazz and hip-hop, with compositions blurring the lines between hip-hop beats and instrumental jazz compositions. Their music has found support from the likes of Huey Morgan on BBCR6, Reprezent Radio, Soho Radio, Jazz FM and more.

‘I Don’t Question You’ was released on Thursday 11th Apil via DeepMatter Records. Why not have a listen below…