I never heard Matthew Whitaker’s debut album, but this second release is so impressive I want to go check it out. His life story is that this 18 year old young man was blind since birth, learned to play the piano at three, and has toured with Stevie Wonder. All of this makes for a fascinating story, and even better is that the quality and enthusiasm of the music stands up on its own.
Whitaker plays piano, Moog, Hammond B3 and other keyboards as he teams up with jazaz vets Dave Stryker/g, Yunior Terry/b, Ulysses Owens Jr/dr and Sammy Figueroa on a mix of cleverly arranged covers and strident originals. His touch on the piano is joyful and dramatic, dancing with Owens on “Overcoat” and telling a fluid story with Terry during “Tranquility.” His full-fisted “Bernie’s Tune” includes a drive inspired by McCoy Tyner while he takes a wondrous journey on Duke Ellington’s “U.M.M.G.” On the Hammond, he mixes Sly and the Family Stone funk and Sunday Morning Service enthusiasm on a stomping “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power” and sizzles with Stryker on a rocking read of “Freedom Jazz Dance” that howls like an alley cat. ON the more reflective side, “Thinking of You” is a romantic dream, and when teaming up with Marc Cary on “Black Butterfly” the team gets into a soul groove. A fusion “Underground” with Whitaker on synthesizer includes delightful flute by Gabrielle Garo and Whitaker boogaloos with Stryker on the ultra hip “Miss Michelle.” This one bubbles over with infectious enthusiasm; look for it!