(April 26, 2017) We have been writing about songwriter, producer and musician Matthew Shell for a few years now. The talented music man has been prolific in working with vocalists to release music in R&B, pop and dance genres. But nothing we’ve seen from Matthew has been as ambitious as the new project on which he is working.
“First Light,” which will be released on August 30, is an hour long song that touches on soul and jazz to create several moods; and Matthew brings along several talented artists to complete his vision.
(April 26, 2017) We have been writing about songwriter, producer and musician Matthew Shell for a few years now. The talented music man has been prolific in working with vocalists to release music in R&B, pop and dance genres. But nothing we’ve seen from Matthew has been as ambitious as the new project on which he is working.
“First Light,” which will be released on August 30, is an hour long song that touches on soul and jazz to create several moods; and Matthew brings along several talented artists to complete his vision.
Matthew tells us: I'm currently working on an hour-long song created completely with live instrumentation in a jazz style titled "First Light." I only work when I am inspired, and the creation of this song is no exception. My wife had been very stressed at a job where she had little to no work-life balance for the last four years. The day she finally left that job and transitioned to a new job with better work-life balance, I saw how happy she was. Seeing that joy in her spirit, I was inspired, and I composed my song, "First Light," in one sitting. I mapped out all of the chord changes, 17 key changes, 20 tempo changes, and the entire arrangement in one tremendously focused twelve-hour session at The Sweet Spot Studio. It was definitely an inspired session. From there I enlisted pianist Vahagn Stepanyan to lay down the piano and upright bass parts over the course of a week, and then vocalist Kenny Wesley to add some beautiful harmonies and lead vocal parts in another intense six-hour session. From there I've been working on my guitar parts when I can get my wife in the studio with me, as well as various other parts with a plethora of musicians. Bit by bit, this song is building into something epic.
We are proud to provide SoulTrackers with the World Premiere of a portion of this project, a seven minute preview that gently captures a soft Summer mood. We’re digging it, and we’re looking forward to the full project this Summer. Check it out below and tell us what you think.
Matthew Shell – “First Light”