CURRENT ISSUE

DONATE ADVERTISE SUBSCRIBE

Reviewed by Jamie McCaskill

Multiplayer: Once The Show Begins

Reviewed by Jamie McCaskill

Multiplayer: Once The Show Begins

Taranaki composer Matt Sagen has described himself as a 41-year-old composer disguised as a desk jockey who was pulled out from behind his desk and shoved on stage. What MultiPlayer have created is a fresh, quirky and skillful NZ album. The title track lets us in on what type of musical journey we are on. With quick fire lyrics, skillfully sung by Lauren Nottingham, the track breaks into a half time chorus that is original and tasteful. The album takes time out in the track called Sovereign, commenting on the world changing and still having a home in the process. Room For A Spin brings the album into skillful and smooth Jazz with a mix of scatting and rapping. Sagen’s lead vocals are a nice change in this track, interpreting his own lyrics and skillful word play. Stylistically its a fusion of jazz timing, punk, rock and musical theatre. With Nottingham singing and Jacob Randall on drums, Sagen himself adds keyboards, guitar, bass and vocals, Mixed by David Carnahan and mastered by Mike Gibson, ‘Once The Show Begins’ exposes talent that’s not based in our main centres.