Daybreak

Harare, Zimbabwe-born, Toronto-based guitarist Matt Greenwood’s Atlas definitely has a good idea of what a hook is. It doesn’t take long into its 48-second intro, “Constellations,” where one is wanting more and is ready for the ride Greenwood is taking us. These smart compositions seem to know ex-actly where to start and stop.

★ ★ ★ ★

the finesse of Greenwood’s guitar playing deserves a thousand times more ovations than albums by guitarists focused on demonstrative virtuosity where speed rivals the number of notes played per minute.

Matt Greenwood is a special type of musician, the one who can paint you a picture without even picking up a paintbrush.

The best albums contain a cohesive mood and atmosphere from first track to last. Though Greenwood's music includes influences from rock, ambient and modern jazz, his overall statement holds together thematically with mesmerizing intimacy

A few things set Greenwood apart from his contemporaries, a willingness to allow his music to breathe, for starters. Resisting the urge to fill every space, he opts for an understated attack more typically shown by the seasoned performer who's reached that stage after many decades.

Daybreak is an extraordinary, genre-defying audio experience

The fact that another thoughtful and serious musician has appeared on the Canadian jazz scene is beyond doubt.

This album is an awesome offering of art for art’s sake, eschewing causes and
homages in favour of focused, sophisticated, contemporary playing. Have a listen; I
trust you will find Atlas as refreshing as I do.