RECENT PRESS
PAPAGENO MAGAZINE
Matt and his version of 'Gloomy Sunday' were recently profiled in an online feature for Papageno Magazine, a performing arts publication from Hungary.
HELLO! CANADA mAGAZINE
'Coulda Woulda Shoulda' was selected as an album of note by Nicholas Jennings in HELLO! Canada. Click above to enlarge review!
METRO NEWS (CANADA)
Well here's one thing off the bucket list! While promoting 'Coulda Woulda Shoulda' in Canada, I was thrilled to discover that the album and I had made it into a national crossword puzzle...take a peek at the scan above!
WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING...
“I am calling ‘Solitary Man’ the #1 Male Standards release of 2017 and I have added nine tracks to our playlist. I haven’t added that many tracks for a singer since Sinatra — and Matt may be on his way to becoming the next Sinatra!”
“I said it before on his 2015 debut album ‘Coulda Woulda Shoulda’, and I’m saying it again after his new release ‘Solitary Man’...this Matt Forbes is the vocalist that you want to discover. Forget the posers and TV personalities. Forbes mixes standards, pop tunes and obscurities and delivers them like Mariano Rivera... As Forbes slinks around the B3 and smoky saxes of “I Wanna Be Around” and the snappy street smarts of “The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else,” all that’s missing is a guest appearance by Edmund O’Brian to complete the film noir mood. Forbes sounds like he’s wooing Gloria Graham as he saunters to Ken Wild’s bass on “The Best is Yet to Come” while he’s relaxed, and completely unmillenially masculine on a Town Without Pity grooved read of “Cry Me A River”...this guy makes the standards stand out!”
“The world needs more singers like Matt Forbes. If we had that, I’m sure I’d take an interest in watching the Grammy Awards program again. But at least I can briefly escape to that world in my mind with “Solitary Man,” Matt’s new collection of standards and future-standards. His vocal interpretations and instrumental jazz settings put me right where I want to be. I can’t wait to share it with our listeners!”
“Swing is still the thing and nothing sounds re-hashed or nostalgic here. It’s as hot and piping as rolls at Pat’s Steak House in Philly. Is Matt Forbes a poser? Well, he’s definitely posing in a shark skin suit, but unlike “Mike Bubbles” this guy sounds like his own man. He’s got a relaxed baritone not unlike Dean Martin, with an irresistible hands-in-the-pockets, behind the beat, un-rushed feel. He’s got a wink in the eye on the slinky “Witchcraft” and with the saxy reed section breathes new life into “Beyond the Sea” while he teams with Steve Hughes’ trombone on a nifty “The Good Life.” Most intriguing of ideas is where he staggers and swaggers on a sepia-toned, “Gloomy Sunday” instead of the normal desultory read, with Doug Webb’s tenor searing under the light on the street corner. This guy’s got the delivery and the ‘tude...why haven’t I seen him yet!”
“If Amy Winehouse and Michael Bublé had a child...it might sound a lot like Matt Forbes.”
“Matt is an exciting and poignant jazz singer who understands the importance of turning a phrase with dynamics, soul, and originality. I prefer his style to some of the more pop-based jazz crooners like Jamie Cullum. Forbes’ sound is more sincere and pure. It is also obvious that he understands the lyrics to these timeless standards which sets him apart from a countless number of vocalists who try to tackle these chestnuts without delving into the lyrics and theme of each composition. The band swings hard too. The thoughtful and tasteful backing of the band accentuates Forbes’ phrasing perfectly. I am sure that Forbes has a very bright future ahead of him. This is a terrific album for all music lovers alike.”
“I have been in programming and station management for more than 50 years. I listen to a lot of product. Sadly, some of it is not very good. So what a pleasant surprise when I listened to ‘Coulda Woulda Shoulda’. Matt Forbes is good. And I mean REALLY good. Do not compare him to Sinatra or Bublé. Matt has his own special style that is great in its own way. It is an understatement to say that his style is unique and refreshing — it is all those things and I expect that in the time to come, he will be recognized for a compelling style which the Great American Songbook needs as we move into this new century.”
“Matt’s got ‘the stuff’!”
“From the very first note, I loved this CD....this guy is a giant superstar! Backed by a sensational band. And Forbes not only has ‘The Voice’, but the phrasing that reminds you of every deep love you’ve had, every dark night parked with your favorite love while listening to the radio. This guy has the vocal power, the gift and the whim. [...] It’s nice to know that when the old generation fades away, a new and very excellent singer like Matt comes along. He may not be a replacement for Frank Sinatra, but he certainly fills the vacuum left by those great singers of yore. My sincere compliments...I’m totally impressed.”
“Believe me when I say that this is as good as it gets. Matt has put together an amazing album that simply cannot be improved upon. It captures that special ‘something’ that you seldom hear from other releases in this genre. What an amazing debut... I’m totally impressed.”
“Matt Forbes’ new album is a knockout! Great renditions of some truly remarkable songs and Matt’s rich baritone voice makes these classic songs hip again. The arrangements and Matt’s smooth voice bring these songs into the 21st Century. We have chosen to add it into our library because it fits perfectly alongside such greats as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Michael Bublé.”
“Matt’s ability to embrace classic tunes from previous generations and make them his own, speaks volumes about his sly precociousness, talent and feel for the genre of music he so obviously adores. His voice and style, while unique, often reminds me of some of the great crooners of the past. Matt Forbes...a superstar in the making!”
“Is this guy for real...what a voice! Matt Forbes is amazing. For a moment I thought Dean Martin was in the room... It’s very vintage, yet fresh.”