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It’s a beautiful thing to watch someone growing up in front of your eyes, developing, blossoming into a musician of world standing with an overview formed of what he wants to do and how he plans to do it. Alex Mathias is a revelation, a tenor player who is steering himself towards an individual sound and style of writing based on an ethos where melody is triumphant, where everyone is welcome to sample the musical fare. From a young age he has been open to a wide range of musical genres, and on this album it all comes out, the musical world of Alex Mathias. From the soliloquy sax opening of “Goin’ Roamin’” to the introspective “Open Up”, this album is a journey; the guide, a young man who is just at the start of his own discovery, but who is embracing his career with an enthusiasm I have not witnessed for many years. This is a wonderful statement of where Alex is now; highly emotional, passionate not just about his music but the people he makes music with. There is an honesty about this album, an energy that isn’t selfish, melody that isn’t hostile, a style that evokes patience, just like Goin’ Roamin’. Liner notes from Goin’ Roamin’ by Linley Hamilton, BBC Radio Ulster presenter of ‘After Midnight’ |
