He was one of the young hopes of Jamaican music. The youngest son of Winston McAnuff, he was certainly the most talented among them. His first recording, "Be careful," made with guitarist Chinna Smith in the Inna de Yard series, propelled him onto the airwaves not only of Radio Nova but especially of thousands of sound systems around the world. This is evidenced by the million spontaneous listens on YouTube of this track, which is ultimately quite rarely played by the radio. The popular success of this first single, whose title today is retrospectively terribly prophetic, has been considered by some as a true "reggae anthem," linking the old and new generations. It also suggested a flourishing career for Matthew. But history had other plans, and his fate joined that of other artists who left too soon, a list that reminds us of how Jamaica remains a country plagued by violence, from Hugh Mundell to Jacob Miller.
Started in late 2009, under the impetus and the caring ear of his father Winston, this album brings together from the first recordings at the legendary Harry J studio in Kingston, the cream of the island's historic musicians: Flabba Holt, Style Scott, Dwight Pickney, Sticky Thompson, not to mention the melodist Richie McDonald, eternal accomplice of the McAnuff family.
It is Fixi who takes over the production of the album. The mythical sections of roots reggae are thus led by an original musician, a specialist in musical "crossovers," whether alongside the Réunionese of Lindigo, Tony Allen, Java, or his productions with Winston McAnuff. One can hear his accordion on several tracks, and his touch for those who lend an ear to the arrangements. On the mix, another friend of Fixi and Winston is at the controls: Tom Fire. The latter, a Parisian producer of electro dub pop reggae, offers the young singer an original riddim at the same time, which will be his 2nd single on the airwaves: "Brainwash."
As a bonus, we will find Matthew's first two singles, "Be careful" and "Brainwash."
The story had thus started well, but tragedy took the young Matthew before he could finish the project. It is therefore an unfinished album that ultimately sees the light of day. Nevertheless, it carries an obvious mystical power and will resonate forever as an emotional echo for all lovers of roots reggae.