Matthew Alec & The Soul Electric –
Cleveland Time (Cleveland Time): “Cleveland Time marks the first album release from the group that features Matthew Alec (tenor saxophone and EWI), Brian Woods (piano, keyboards, organs, plus vocals on “Give What You Take” and “Baby You Got Me”), Steven Forest Sanders (guitar, plus vocals on “Enigma Man”), Jared Lees (bass), Jeremiah Hawkins (percussion, plus drums on “Baby You Got Me”), and Leon Henault (drums). The album also features special guests Tom ‘Bones’ Malone (trombone and horn section on “Cleveland Time”), MINUS THE ALIEN (vocals on “Cleveland Time”), and Tim Coyne (trumpet on “Blues For McCoy” and “Enigma Man”)…. “This album has a little bit of everything in it which is exactly what I set out to do,” says saxophonist Matthew Alec. “I wanted a few tunes that were short with strong hooks that would capture people’s attention, I wanted to feature our two vocalists on a tune of their own, I wanted to have at least a couple of traditional modern jazz tunes for the jazz fans out there, and I wanted to feature an industry legend… where I completely lucked out and found Bones Malone who loved the project. Whether you’re a jazz, funk, soul, or even pop music fan I think this album has something on it for you.” (https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Matthew-Alec-The-Soul-Electric-Release-Debut-Jazz-Fusion-Album-Cleveland-Time-20210222) They cover a good bit of ground stylistically and the set is fresh and fun. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.