It's difficult to think of any guitarist in the last decade who has enjoyed quite the same unanimous acclaim as Matt Schofield. In the short space of time since his 2004 debut, this unassuming tone fanatic has already been dubbed one of the top ten British Blues guitarists of all time by Guitar and Bass magazine.
Now, with HEADS, TAILS & ACES, Matt has produced his most compelling set yet. With new recruits - drummer, Alain Baudry and bassist, Jeff Walker - this album just bristles with energy and scorching solos. And it's an entirely song-based album, with nine of the eleven tracks written or co-written by Schofield.
The breadth of material on this album is impressive, spanning everything from the smouldering Malaco-like soul groove of War We Wage, to the eccentric back beat driven Betting Man and the Jazz-tinged Nothing Left. Underpinned by Jonny Henderson's constantly empathetic keyboards, Matt stamps his own style on proceedings, slamming into solos that burn with intensity.
As ever, there is a power and emotion in Schofield's playing rarely heard these days and even more rarely in combination with such a fluid and melodic approach.
Matt Schofield - Guitar, Vocals
Jonny Henderson - Hammond Organ, Wurlitzer Piano, Piano
