Review: Jumping Matt And His Combo – Forward
Jumping Matt And His Combo – Forward
Format: CD – Digital / Label: Independent
Release: 2025
Text: Pascal Wilhelm
Hungary would, for me, be the last place in Europe to expect a musician who embraced the blues when he turned 15, developed as an ace harmonica player, singer, songwriter and performer, travelled the world playing with some of the biggest stars (Tom Jones, Duke Robillard, Alex Schultz, and Ian Siegal to name but a few) AND now releases his 16th album!
Who IS this guy?
Matyas Pribojszki aka “Jumping Matt” is his name and the man his SERIOUS. His music, videos, website, releases, it is all high quality, he really puts the effort in. He must have been inspired by the late William Clarke, who had a similar attitude.
Matt has surrounded himself with some very fine musicians, his combo comprises Viktor Hamvas on keys, Dàniel Molnàr on the drums and Laszló Csizmadia on the bass. Ample room on this recording is reserved for both Matt and his combo to show what they can do (Beyond the Golden Gate is a good example).
His music can be described as modern all-original funky jump blues, rooted in the Westcoast blues tradition. Lyrically, he touches on some serious issues (Can You Hear Me Mama, Technological Breakdown, Family Burden), Matt has stories to share. He also has a soulful voice, only sometimes you can tell that English is not his first language. But that is just a detail. Matt is for real and deserves praise for the unique way he uses his blues roots to create something new.
His harmonica playing deserves attention as well. The man’s got TONE, and he truly masters his instrument. The fact that he is an official Hohner endorser is proof of this. Matt also makes use of harmonica themes in his songs, something I don’t hear so often. Yes, he does his (amazing) solos, but several songs get a special signature by the inclusion of recurring harmonica themes, like in jazz. The title track Forward and Name Reload are good examples of this.
I feel a bit embarrassed that I did not know before about Jumping Matt and that it is only with his 16th album that I finally discover him.
Let me make up for this by inviting our readers to check him out!
Tracks:
01. Forward
02. Name Reload
03. Jump, Jump, Jump
04. Can You Hear Me Mama
05. Beyond The Golden Gate
06. Jumping Matt Jumps
07. Tecnological Breakdown
08. You’re The Music In Me
09. Come On Pretty Baby
10. Family Burden
11. Moonshine Mood
12. Poppy Seed Liquor
Website: https://pribojszki.hu/en