Review: MATTERS UNKNOWN - Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal (Bridge The Gap)

It was only this week that Gilles Peterson mentioned worldwide jazz amassadors Ezra Collective and Nubya Garcia in the same breath, so it won't be long before he's championing MATTERS UNKNOWN and new release, 'Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal'.

You'll recall that MATTERS UNKNOWN (the project of Jonathan Enser), has already had rave reviews of the single 'I Am The Birds' (see HERE), featured on 'Transmissions From' (a compilation on Blue Note) and part of the Total Refeshment Centre community, the trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, composer and member of Nubyian Twist continues his own exploration of inspirations of London's new jazz scene that was once known as the 'We Out Here' generation at one point ('We Out Here' being the compilation album on Gilles' Brownswod label back in 2018). 

'Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal' is a 5 track EP that is clearly evolved from a love of Fela, Dilla, Cedric Brooks, King Tubby as well as Donald Byrd, Matthew Halsall, Christian Scott, Roy Hargrove and all points in-between; even Coltrane/Ashby Afro-harping on 'I Am The Birds' that features the group Onipa.

'Race Against The Sun' comes in two versions, the original that eminates from 'The Shine' via Cuba and a Wonky Logic remix which warps more towards a jazzy-broken beat 

One that's closer to the Black Country features singer/MC/producer NEONE The Wonderer from Wolverhamption.  You may recall he also featured on last years' Nubyian Twist album track 'Pray For Me Part 1' (and K.O.G featured on Part 2) and here he stars on 'What Are You About'.  'Permission To Malfunction' is the "jazz" track which is an instrumental mixture of all before but shamefully to short; could even have gone dubby at the end.

In addition to Gilles Peterson, you'll likely to here MATTERS UNKNOWN on BBC 6 Music on Huey Morgan and Deb Grant whilst Jazz FM's Tony Minvielle, Dom Servini and China Moses are already fans.

Artist: Matters Unknown

Title: Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal
Release date: 24th January, 2024
Label : Bridge The Gap
Catalog Number : TBC
Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Matters Unknown - I Am The Birds (Bridge The Gap)

When you've got a Nubiyan Twist (Tom Excell) and Kweku Sackey (K.O.G) on your project together with a track on a Blue Note compilation, trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist and composer Jonathan Enser is in a position to declare, 'I Am The Birds'!

When you've just had a track on a Blue Note label compilation, 'Transmissions From Total Refeshment Centre' (where our good friend Emanative had a gig this week promoting his latest album, see review HERE), Jonathan thoughts went onto fusing orchestral arrangements with jazz, garage, dancehall and afrobeats.

We know K.O.G from his Heavenly Sweetness works (see review HERE) and his appearance on Nubiyan Twist's 'Find Your Flame' but Jonathan tells us, “The inspiration came from a transformative period in my life, where I was regularly confined to bed for days due to the excruciating chronic pain that ultimately led to my amputation. At this time, an Indian bean tree outside my window became a place of solace. The tree attracted bright green parakeets, which, though not indigenous, found a home in the urban environment. These birds, vibrant and free, became my companions, symbolising resilience, freedom, and the boundless possibilities of the mind and spirit. The parakeets offered me a vision of life beyond my suffering, where creativity and imagination could transcend the physical body.”

What with LEDJ's 'Circuit Breaker' that came out last month (see review HERE) what a great time it is to be a Afro-beat inspired jazz fan and it's going to be even better in the new year as there's an EP due, 'Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal' (24.01.25).

Artist: Matters Unknown

Title: I Am The Birds
Release date: 29th November, 2024
Label : Bridge The Gap
Catalog Number : -
Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp