Mateus Starling

Mateus Starling - Kairos - 2009 - Mateus Starling

"With highly developed chops sharpened in varied settings Mateus Starling is a very promising guitarist who thankfully can deliver without having to sound like everyone else". - Mark F. Turner, ALL ABOUT JAZZ (march, 5th, 2009)

"Mateus Starling is part of a new and great generation of musicians. Kairos (debut album) presents great compositions and amazing instrumental executions from this young and talent musician. - (guitar player - jun 2009)

"I was literally blown away by this guy, amazing compositions and masterful playing, a true jazz fusion product". - Stan Stapleton, JAZZ-ROCK-FUSION-GUITAR (JAN 2009)

Kairos is a compelling and innovative artistic achievement for the young guitarist and his band of remarkable musicians. - FUSION MAGAZINE - USA (13th september, 2009)

"If we want to find any similarity to Mateus playing we need to make a great effort cause he has a very unique touch." - (Axe magazine – Italy)

"Mateus Starling, guitar player from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is of those who embrace the idea of many possibilities to fusion by exploring new sonorities, sometimes using dodecaphonist techniques of composition or by using improvisational ways. It is an essential part of his musical personality as you can hear in kairos his first solo album ". - (Cover guitar – Brazil)

I love this Cd. From the first few notes, my ears were greeted by great compositions, genuinely intuitive group improvisation, and some highly skilled risk taking by all the band members. Throughout the recording, I couldn’t escape the feeling that this music might have been made during the Golden Age of Jazz Rock Fusion. Even though Mateus is a recent graduate of The Berklee College [Summa Cum Laude and majored in performance] the entire band’s use of 'space' and 'dynamics' make them sound like long time pros with a very distinct style all their own. In fact, the choice to make the Cd with all musicians in the studio at the same time create some of the best ‘listening’ and ‘reacting’ I’ve heard in a long time. Mateus himself plays well-chosen notes with tremendous feeling. He shows no fear of getting out there when he is improvising, and no ego to limit his ability to demonstrate his delicate touch when the music calls for it. In fact, everyone in the band sacrifices individual playing completely for the sake of the music in the ‘moment’. I especially like the fact that Mateus also knows when NOT to play. That is a truly unique gift in this age of the dominating ‘guitar shredder’ that has sadly become the signature sound of modern fusion. It’s hard to believe that this is the bands first recording and I’m eagerly awaiting more from Mateus and mates. © Rick Calic www.jazzrockworld.com

Influenced by artists like Arnold Shoenberg, Scott Henderson, John Scofield and also by atonal composers, this is a good jazz fusion album with rock and Latin influences. All the tracks are original, with great improvisation by Mateus and his backing musicians which include bassist Chris Cabrera, and saxophonist Jesse Scheinin. Although Mateus is obviously a very talented guitarist with a great technique, his playing does not dominate the album, and the inventive percussive, bass, and sax work are as much a part of this album as Mateus' playing. Watch out for future releases from this great Brazilian musician. Read Mateus' bio @ http://www.mateusstarling.com.br/en/biography [All tracks @ 160 Kbps: File size = 57.6 Mb]

TRACKS

1 Exodus
2 Good Moments
3 Jerico
4 Brazilian Funk
5 Guerreiro
6 Pai
7 Pagoca
8 The Ark

All tracks composed by Mateus Starling

MUSICIANS

Mateus Starling - Guitar
Chris Cabrera - Bass
Caio Slonzon - Bass on Tracks 7, 8
Pablo Eluchans - Drums
Edu Nali - Drums on Tracks 7, 8
Jesse Scheinin - Tenor Sax