Forget the usual tags – ‘singer-songwriter’, ‘folk-soul’, and ‘troubadour’. If you’ve caught him live, either solo or collaborating, you’ll understand Randolph Matthews operates in his own parallel world, well away from traditional mainstream record label marketing formulae. His music is an evolving journey, rooted in purity and unshackled expression, drawing on the greats of yesteryear in soul, Neo African rhythms and conscious words. Sure, you’ll hear echoes of Marvin Gaye, Jon Lucien and Bobby McFerrin, influences in the true sense, allied to an open-minded approach borne from years performing live and collaborating with a wide variety of groundbreaking London and international artists.

Born in Camden in 1973 to West Indian parents, Matthews’ early music schooling involved soaking up London’s burgeoning late-‘80s soul-jazz scene, including regular trips to Norman Jay’s feted sessions at Hoxton’s Bass Clef. A career in music beckoned. Aged 21, he started out as a percussionist before finding his true vocation as a talented vocalist, performer and lyricist. By the 1990s he was playing sessions for the likes of US soul / boogie legend Don Blackman, recording with Julie Dexter for her J-Life project and working with Arthur Baker on tracks for Brooklyn soul legend, Will Downing. Back then, he even remembers voicing a high profile ad for Twix chocolate – remember the Twix ‘In The Mix’ campaign?

In 2006 Matthews signed his first record contract and released “I Love” Documented.
An aurally delicious blend of emotive words, chant inspired by progressive beats produced Tony Nwachuku (CDR/NEPA) and raw melodies it was a promising experiment in turning Vocal emotions into something tangible. It gained a loyal following, which lead to his first dance piece credit; single Canvas featured in Kwenda Kwenda.

By 2007, Matthews had graced an impressive series of forward-thinking projects with some of Europe's leading soul, jazz and world music musicians and producers, including two fruitful collaborations with in 2008 with Jazzanova producers Seasons and Sygaire (Sonar Kolletiv) which lead to the release of Open to Love for Giles Peterson double boogie complilation "In Da House" and featuring his Heart Song improvisation on numerous tracks for ambient electronica dub producer Seb Taylor and Natasha Chamberlain Kaya Project Album (interchill record).

“This man’s not just original, He’s out there!"
Blues and Soul Magazine

Other partnerships in 2009 took Matthews into deeper, more worldly musical territory opening up new angles on his roots of explorational performance. He played a key part within conversations, with award winning story telling poet Zena Edwards, and Adisa the verbaliser touring extensive as Musical Director as part of the successful London fringe festival.

And, most recently in 2010 after running a colorful World music night Collab Randolph’s instigated a collaboration with London based flamenco guitarist Byron Johnston (pictured). This intoxicating union spun a radical collaboration album 'in the shadow of leaves' recorded in 6 months which once again confirmed Matthews’s ability to transport to another level, pushing boundaries to fuse raw guitar styles of the Mediterranean and disparate melodies of new African styles. That same year saw him supporting a pedigree of visiting artist from around the world Suen Kuti, Cheik Lo, Mulatu estatke and Amp fiddler. Randolph says,” Its got to be live live that’s where the genius happens!”

2011 Having earned the plaudits through such works Matthews took a further step in his solo work with his one man Voce Solo. Matthews quotes ”I want to reject the predictable boundaries of vocal expression and get to the heart of what we experience in the performance space and how one person can create the space for liberation for all”. And this is what happens in a world, class interactive performance Matthews takes the audiences on an organically magical journey through haunting songs, edge of the seat improvisation laughter while technology layers voice at his feet. It’s like Therapy in a room, a journal read aloud and set to music, this time Randolph takes all he has learnt musically and lyrically to a whole new dimension of unique music where no two gigs are alike.

“ Souful percussiveness "
The new statesman newpaper

Now, Matthews finally has completed his second solo album Precious for summer 2011 release The tracks reflect the many aspects of his kaleidoscopic palette yet deeper– the personal, intimate delivery, a true spirituality that oozes through the songs layers and unique twists and turns of ethnic beat box, combining unusual arrangements, hypnotic Hang drum playing and sensitive production touches, courtesy of dub /electronica producer Seb Taylor (Kaya project interchill records).

Randolph Matthews an artist who isn’t afraid to experiment the heart of the vocalized moment, either with his music or with his relationship with his followers and the space shared together.

You have to see him Live!!!