Today, Outside—the project helmed by studio mastermind and gifted multi-instrumentalist, writer and arranger Matt Cooper—celebrates 30 years since the release of his celebrated seminal album The Rough And The Smooth with a new version of the album that has been stunningly remastered in Hi Res Audio by Miles Showell at Abbey Road. Officially out today, 30 years to the day since its debut release via Dorado Records, the record is available digitally and on double vinyl now.
Listen now here.
The Rough And The Smooth was the highly anticipated sophomore album from Outside upon its release in 1995. Written, produced, mixed and engineered by a then 22-year-old Matt Cooper, he melded dub, jungle, hip-hop and latin rhythms with vibrant, modal jazz to create the record. Playing much of the instrumentation throughout, Matt was joined by some of the scene’s finest players from Jhelisa, Imaani,
"
data-original-title="" title="">Byron Wallen, Tony Remy and Gary Crosby. Upon its release, The Rough And The Smooth received huge acclaim and was hailed as a watershed album by the music press, from GQ, MOJO, The Face and Mixmag and fans alike. From the complex funk of “Journeyman" parts 1 and 2, to the Nu Yorican hit of “The 29/8 Steps," to the powerfully emotive violin led jungle of “To Forgive But Not Forget" and the epic jazz and beats fusion that is “Moodswing," the album was impossible to pigeonhole and influenced a generation of music heads and artists.
About Matt Cooper
Matt Cooper has been a creative powerhouse from the time he founded Outside in 1993, to his recent stints as Musical Director of Jazz-Funk pioneers
"
data-original-title="" title="">Gilles Peterson as co-writer/producer/performer on four tracks from the album STR4TASFEAR, including acclaimed track “Lazy Days" featuring
"
data-original-title="" title="">Emma-Jean Thackray. Matt returned to recording again as Outside in 2023, when he releasing 6th studio album Almost Out, a work of slick downtempo beats and keys, Lo-Fi vibes and basslines and seamless touches of jazz instrumentation, flying solo, as he first did in 1993, drawing on 20 years in the company of soul and jazz legends, while adding a dash of
"
data-original-title="" title="">Steve Reich minimalism. He is currently at work on his seventh album, due out for release early next year.
Matt Cooper was a key figure in the music era that rebooted jazz with digital beats in 1990s London. Recorded under the name Outside, his 1993 debut album Almost In stood out when it was released on experimental label Dorado—a contemporary of Talkin’ Loud, Acid Jazz, Mo’Wax and Ninja Tune that was founded by Ollie Buckwell and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. “I wanted to make quality records that would stand the test of time," says Buckwell, “and I was blown away by Matt’s talent." Mixmag pronounced second album The Rough And The Smooth “the best record of the last two years," Outside released three further albums: Discoverie (1997), Suspicious (1998) and Out of the Dark (2001). Cooper joined cult UK soul act Incognito as MD, and went onto work as MD and instrumentalist for legendary artists including Chaka Khan; Jocelyn Brown; Whitney Houston;
Matt Cooper said ?“Being in the thick of the acid jazz movement as it began morphing into deeper electronica in London during the mid-'90s was such a blessing. It created the perfect environment for The Rough And The Smooth album to come together. I was surrounded by an incredible wave of emerging artists, many of whom are now prolific, which made the process feel almost effortless. That energy and inspiration was everywhere around me. I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to re-master and re-release this album. It’s been described by peers and critics as timeless and a classic, and that recognition means a lot. It feels good to bring it back into the light for a new generation. I’d say this is my most complete single body of work. It’s not without its imperfections, and I’m slowly learning to embrace those, because perfection doesn’t really exist. But if I had to choose just one of my albums to stand the test of time, this would be the one.”
The Rough And The Smooth was remastered from the original Analog Master by award-winning engineer Miles Showell (The Beatles, Amy Winehouse, Abba, Portishead) at Abbey Road in High Res Audio and remixed by Jimmy Douglass (Aretha Franklin, Jay-Z, Timbaland, Missy Elliott) in Dolby Atmos.
About Dorado Records
Dorado Records is a boutique London-based independent label covering Jazz, Soul, Trip Hop, Drum and Bass and UK Garage. Founded in 1992 by Ollie Buckwell the label is home to, among others, Jhelisa, Brooklyn Funk Essentials, Ebba ?sman, Sunship, D*Note, Natalie Walker and Outside. Many of the artists have remained with the label for decades. Dorado was named Mixmag's 50 best record labels in the world and is a winner of a Music Week award for best website.
Visit Website
|
Purchase
Track Listing
The 29/8 Steps;
Moodswing;
The Plan;
To Forgive But Not Forget (Lim’Chol V’Lo Lishkoach);
The Lower We Fly;
Journeyman Part 1;
The Big ‘F’ Reunion;
Flowers Aren't IV Picking;
Journeyman Part 2;
Minty (Dedicated to Minty);
Remembrance
We sent a confirmation message to . Look for it, then click the link to activate your account. If you don’t see the email in your inbox, check your spam, bulk or promotions folder.
Buy Now
