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.

★ ★ ★ ★

This music—with its start-to-finish cohesion of vision—sounds like world-building, with Greenwood painting spacey soundscapes via deftly-applied post-production machinations. A marvelous debut; a marvelous recording, period. Expect a great deal more from Matt Greenwood.

He simply adds some new dimensions to the Canadian jazz scene, which cannot be defined by genre or in any other way - limited, but which are precisely
innovative and exciting.

His guitar playing is fluid and inspired throughout. Highlights include Dehyah, Campfire Ghosts, Atlas, From Sunshine and Redemption.

“Atlas” is a promising debut from Matt Greenwood. There are some lovely touches from the guitarist and it’ll be interesting to hear what comes next from this exciting musician.

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

For a debut, Atlas is preternaturally poised and a genuine compliment to Greenwood's talents as a writer, arranger, instrumentalist, and project leader. The record's so accomplished, it suggests there's nothing he can't do, which will make it especially interesting to see what he does next.

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.