New Age Instrumental Review: Alan Matthews-The Ineffable

Release Date: October 9, 2017

Label: Independent

Website

Ineffable is a word that means too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words. In my world I have not heard it used, in fact, this is the first time I have ever heard of this word. I am not ashamed to admit it and I always have an open door to learning every day.

This is the name that describes the music of musician Alan Matthews, whose first release came out last October, The Ineffable. I have to say, after reading his bio, that he is one of the more interesting and complex characters I have had the pleasure to cover in a music review.

As Will Ackerman so astutely makes us aware of in the CD liner notes, “Alan Matthews lives in a very cerebral world as a physician.” His transformation as a musician enters him into an entirely different realm.

It is important to note that Alan was influenced by his father who was also a doctor and jazz enthusiast and a player as well. As I have always said, you are a product of your environment. And lucky for us that he was influenced by his father as now we can enjoy his inspired and beautiful music all interpreted from the ivory keys. I acknowledge him for having the ability to separate himself from his daily work and stepping into a completely different world and fitting in so nicely.

So, we have music that is so powerful and meaningful to this man that it cannot be described in words. I can appreciate a thought like that and with all sincerity, can think of feeling that way many times throughout my life.

Alan Matthews plays his instrument with great skill and rhythm. I always find it amazing how an individual can have a feeling or thought process, play out a tune then name it, and sometimes very appropriately. I think that in and of itself is a tremendous gift to have along with being able to present music with form and substance without uttering a word.

The Ineffable is an incredibly successful and impactful debut for an artist that has now made himself available on a world level. I am certain that this is just the beginning of many amazing recordings that Alan Matthews is going to produce in the coming years. Right out of the gate he has a great start with this release. The bar is now set high but I have a feeling that will not phase him and he will just get behind the piano and let it go and let it flow, just like he did on the eleven tracks on this album.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

August 22, 2018

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Tracks:
01. Moiras Song
02. No Words Remain
03. The Resigned
04. The Conversation   
05. The Second Goodbye
06. Strange to Me
07. Wistful
08. The Empty House
09. What She Knows
10. You Don’t Know What Day It Is
11. Moiras Song Reprise