The Breakdown
Trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Enser is possibly best known as a key member of pioneering global beat collective Nubiyan Twist but away from that thriving collective he’s sculpting his own singular musical reputation. A couple of years ago, under the MATTERS UNKNOWN banner, he released the ambitious, widescreen ‘We Aren’t Just’ album. The recording underlined Enser’s talents as a composer and band leader, someone who could naturally infuse afrobeat, funk and soul with shots of cosmic jazz and blues. But what made the ‘We Aren’t Just’ album really stand out was the emotional resonance of the music, drawing on Enser’s own experience of serious illness and loss as well as celebrating the restorative power of creativity.
It’s such depth and intensity which underpins MATTERS UNKNOWN’s recently released EP ‘Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal’. Part autobiographical, part political, the recording reflects further on Enser’s time living with chronic pain and as a disabled person while exploring broader themes of resilience and sharing. That might sound weighty but this new collection is fuelled with possibilities, fired up by imagining a decolonialised future that’s inclusive and harmonious. Musically such motivation sees ‘Silhouettes’ aiming for uplift through MATTERS UNKNOWN’s energetic, bustling delivery.
I Am The Birds sets the narrative and sonic tone of the whole EP, a source of ideas and musical framing that radiates out to the other three tracks. Inspired by a time when Enser, because of his condition, was confined to bed, watching parakeets in the tree outside his window, the tune sparkles with hope and vibrancy. Co-written with Enser’s Nubiyan Twist buddy Tom Excell, who also brings some chirpy guitar detailing, and featuring the dynamic Kweku Sackey (aka K.O.G.) on commanding vocals, there’s a warmth bubbling through these grooves. Excell and Sackey are part of the modern roots group Onipa, so it’s no surprise that there’s a hint of that band’s dancehall skip sashaying through I Am The Birds. Blended with an ingeniously crafted orchestral swoon, the swirl of flutes and Lyle Barton’s rippling piano flurries, this song glides with grace and purpose.
Barton was part of the band that Enser put together for his ‘We Aren’t Just’ debut. Also returning for this EP are Matt Davies (drums), Alec Hewes (bass) and Rosie Turton (trombone) giving, along with Enser’s presence, a foundational pull to MATTERS UNKNOWN’s expansion seeking soundscape. Still, although the core group may be familiar, there’s no lack of spontaneity or invention in this set. Take Permission To Malfunction where the quintet readily ride a mood curve from meditative atmospherics to strident brass and booming brass, then back again.
That liveliness intensifies on other tracks as different friends arrive to add their ideas. On the sultry latin funk of Race Against The Sun, Flavio Correa brings some silver-tongued spoken word plus his percussive flare to whip up those cross rhythms. Nick Richards’ alto adds depth to the sighing combo horn lines. With a psychedelic, wobbly stir to the mid-section, this tune closes in on a spiralling cosmic Hermeto Pascoal trajectory. The Wonky Logic/Dwayne Kilvington remix of the track, which rounds off the EP, stays close to the song’s spirit but smoothly lays back a little more, oozing calm and contemplation.
Careful curation of MATTERS UNKOWN’s new music by Enser, where collaboration is tuned into the needs of each song, is key to this EP’s success. What Are You About might get bundled up as polished, finely tuned R n B but vocal guest NEONE the Wonderer leads with a lyrical double edge, taking the song beyond any “love gone wrong” cliche. It’s also the kind of jazz, rap and neo-soul fusion, all dreamy vocoder moments, squelchy bass synth bumps and rich brass flavouring that always keeps fresh.
‘Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal’ is a mini- album that resonates with Enser’s personal and political journey. It’s a soundtrack played with a shared understanding, always mindful, making space for thought and time for joy- the musical equivalent of a powerful and poignant novella.
Get your copy of ‘Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal‘ from your local record store or direct from MATTERS UNKNOWN HERE
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