Sound of Vinyl

In his tenth year with Acid Jazz, the ever-prolific Matt Berry has crafted a psych masterpiece. Once again proving his artistic progression and ambition knows no bounds. Following the acclaim of last year’s Top 30 album Phantom Birds ( ★★★★ The Times), on 14 May Acid Jazz will release Blue Elephant, Matt Berry’s sixth studio album with the groundbreaking label. Recorded during the summer of 2020, Blue Elephant is testament to Matt’s exceptional musicianship, production skills and songwriting prowess with every instrument played by Matt including, guitars, bass, a variety of keyboards and synthesizers (piano, Wurlitzer, mellotron, Moog, Hammond, Vox and Farfisa organs), with the exception of drums – supplied by Craig Blundell, on arguably his best album to date. This music soundtracks an album that explores themes surrounding today’s close scrutiny in all its bewildering, objectifying and unnerving experiences. Very much a conceptual and, therefore, continuous long-player, the album’s infectious grooves come to the fore on standout tracks Summer Sun, heavy-psych instrumental Invisible, the three-part Blues Inside Me, which encompasses a psych journey through a late ‘60s and early glam filter mixed with the propulsive Like Stone.