Atlas
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
A Zimbabwe native who now calls Toronto home, the guitarist and composer Matt Greenwood makes quite an impression with this debut, where improvisation and aesthetics are key.
“Constellations” gets the listen off to a warm start, where Greenwood’s atmospheric guitar is met with Joshua Stanberry’s agile keys in a nearly prog-rock sort of way, and this segues right into Dhaivat Jani’s dense drums that complement the meticulous guitar progressions of “Dehyah”.
Halfway through, “From Sunshine” recruits James Griffith’s alto sax and Steve Carson’s tenor saxophone for the intimate landscape, while “Campfire Ghosts” emits a sublime beauty that benefits from Greenwood’s stirring guitar and Jani’s calm drumming.
Close to the end, Mark Kelso sits in on drums for the more rock influenced “Redemption”, and “Commitment” exits with Matt McCormack’s eloquent electric bass, Stanberry’s expressive keys, and, of course, Greenwood’s glowing guitar work that is just textured so radiantly.
A first album where much of the music was recorded live off the floor in studio, the strategic use of overdubbed guitars, and precise mixing from Greenwood ensures a unique and exciting listening experience.