Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Matthew Alec: Cleveland Time

Matthew Alec: Cleveland Time

By Troy Dostert
April 5, 2021
View read count

Tenor saxophonist Matthew Alec is on a mission—and it's all about furthering the jazz scene in his native Cleveland. This starts with his own music, of course, going back to his first band Winslow, a fixture in the Cleveland scene from 2005-2016, and now continuing with his current ensemble, the Soul Electric. Its first release, Cleveland Time, is a strong dose of funk-based fusion, and an auspicious start for Alec's new label, Cleveland Time Records.

The album's opener, "Give What You Take," announces what is on offer, with

Jared Lees

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Jared Lees' gritty electric bass line propelling a heavy groove punctuated with a shout-sung chorus from the band. Listeners fond of

Maceo Parker

saxophone, alto
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Maceo Parker or Tower of Power will find a lot to like here, and Alec's direct delivery puts the emphasis on the melody from start to finish, aided and abetted by some fierce licks from guitarist

Steven Forrest Sanders

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Steven Forrest Sanders. Other cuts bring individual members of the band to the fore as vocalists: keyboardist

Brian Woods

piano
b.1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Brian Woods has a soulful presence on the medium-tempo "Baby You Got Me," while Sanders' jaded style is perfect for the slinky "Enigma Man." And a gesture toward the world of hip-hop is provided by rapper Minus the Alien on "Cleveland Time," a funk-driven workout dedicated to the city's unique charms.

Alec also makes excellent use of his guest instrumentalists. Trumpeter

Tim Coyne

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Tim Coyne's tasty contributions alongside the saxophonist on "Enigma Man" stand out, and trombonist

Tom Malone

trombone
b.1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Tom Malone energizes "Cleveland Time" with a melodically-rich, thoughtful solo statement. The band as a whole has a nice chemistry, with lots of punchy riffs from the horn section and airtight grooves from Lees and drummer

Leon Henault

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Leon Henault.

The album's energy does flag a bit during the ponderous "Never With You," a slow, jazz-inflected ballad that doesn't quite gel with the prevailing spirit of the record. The up-tempo "Blues for McCoy" is another jazz-based departure from the album's overall feel, although Alec seems more at home on that track, and Coyne's jubilant solo is a winner. It makes one wonder whether Alec might push this band in a more mainstream-jazz direction on upcoming releases—but in the meantime, Cleveland Time's listener-friendly funk should give fans of the genre much to enjoy.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Give What You Take; Baby You Got Me; Cleveland Time; Never With You; Enigma Man; Blues for McCoy; Sunshine on Prospect.

Personnel

Matthew Alec

saxophone, tenor

Brian Woods

piano

Steven Forrest Sanders

guitar

Jared Lees

bass

Jeremiah Hawkins

drums

Leon Henault

drums

Minus the Alien

vocals

Tom Malone

trombone

Tim Coyne

trumpet

Album information

Title: Cleveland Time | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Cleveland Time Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Emiliano Sampaio: Rising Transatlant...
< Previous

Metaphysics: The Lost Atlantic Album
Next >

Matthew Alec Concerts

Sep 24 Wed

Swing Dancing at The Rialto Theatre with The Matthew Alec...

The Rialto Theatre
Akron, OH

Nov 15 Sat

Matthew Alec And The Soul Electric

Irishtown Bend Taproom At Market Garden Brewery
Cleveland, OH

Nov 15 Sat

Matthew Alec and The Soul Electric @ Irishtown Bend...

Market Garden Brewery Store & Tours
Cleveland, OH

Dec 27 Sat

Matthew Alec with PARADISE: The Meat Loaf Tribute

Celestia Theater
Wadsworth, OH

Jan 24 Sat

Matthew Alec and The Soul Electric at Blu Jazz+ Akron

BLU Jazz+
Akron, OH

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.