Matt Henshaw Recommends ... Mahalia

Quickly before we get into it, look up the wonderful Mahalia's namesake, Mahalia Jackson and enjoy some of the sweetest sounding American gospel ... now, Mahalia, she's great !

One of the Midlands most promising talents, I'm so glad I've had the pleasure of seeing her perform a number of times and shared a stage. There's a real air of wonder in the room whenever she takes to the stage. It's a family affair, and when you're in the room you feel part of the family too.

Down at The Cookie Jar in Leicester I've seen some fantastic acts and Mahalia is right up there as one of the best. I've a bent for soulful stuff as you all well know and for a girl of such a young age she carries such a maturity and brings an effervescence that is so endearing. If you like good music, the pleasure and enjoyment you get from it is always multiplied infinitely by the feeling that those making it are having such a great time.

I'm so pleased to have been asked to join the stable of acts that are hosting regular nights at The Cookie Jar, Charlotte Carpenter, Alessi's Ark, Mahalia and myself will be bringing some of the best live, soulful and acoustic acts to the heart of Leicester city right through until Christmas ... I'm starting with my single launch on Friday 21st of this month, see you there !

Mahalia's next night - Mahalia Presents - is coming up this Saturday and if you're around you definitely get yourself down there ...

Get yourself a FREE Mahalia Download NOW ...

Matt Henshaw Recommends ... Mia & The Moon

So, this week I went to a show in Leicester, I wasn't supposed to, I was supposed to be in Wales, but the stars aligned and due to the oncoming dawning of the Age of Aquarius and the inordinate amount weather we've been having I've been in the city all week. Before I get into recommending a couple more of my favourite East Midlands Girls I'm going to give a very very very special mention to the fantastic and wonderful Chris Conway ... Google Him, Do It Now !

Chris was one of the first musicians I met when I moved to the city, and if I'm honest, even from week one of getting out and playing the guitar again, I met Chris that very first week, and he's one of the finest musicians I've ever met before and since, a true gentleman and a real character. And his music makes me laugh, cry and discombobulate in equal measure ...

... so, why am I banging on about Chris Conway? Well, it was he and thee Mia & The Moon whom it was I went to see this week. The night was entitled 'Songs of Wonder', and in wonderment I sat on my bean bag, by the incense, sipping on my coffee - now I know what you're thinking, but they didn't have any milk ... and Black Coffee is always better than Black Tea ...

Both acts are fantastic and I hope that I'll see, play with, record with, write with Chris Conway sometime soon ! And Mia & The Moon are indeed celestial beings. Mary-Anne and Laura, as they are know to their friends, are sisters and carry that all encompassing yin and yang that is needed to bring the light and dark into every performance.

I won't waste any more of your time with superlatives and sycophancy so I'll let the music do the talking ... but I do find it quite serendipitous that in one sister I've found someone I feel I can write some great soul songs with and add a bit of female harmony to the Matt Henshaw Rhythm'n'Gospel Cavalcade and in the other sister I've found someone I can talk about the stars and space with in a completely unscientific manner, yeah, we're really out there ... Man !!

Spread The Love indeed ! MHx

Matt Henshaw Recommends ... Rosa-Leigh

Afternoon gang, sorry it's been a while since I made a recommendation, I've been a busy boy and I hope you won't begrudge me getting things done and spreading the Love with an expediency I've never managed before. I've very good feelings about 2014, sorry to labour the point if you've heard me say or read me banging on about that before but we're in for a good one !

So, Rosa-Leigh. This girl is excellent, beautiful inside and out. I had the pleasure of following her onstage at my first hometown show of the year at The Musician in Leicester, and it was the first time I'd experience all the positive energy that she bestows. The first time sure, but I'll never forget it, and I'm looking forward to catching her live again as soon as possible.

When a girl looks like a supermodel it's not often that they've got the vocals and/or the songsmithery to back it up but Ellie certainly has. Dashings of Alison Mosshart and Debbie Harry with the tenderness of Joni Mitchell or Eva Cassidy, the girls from Haim couldn't hold a flame to this girl.

There's a real ethereal quality going on here, Rosa Leigh is, quite frankly, an angel, singing about what we can feel, emotions and the immaterial. Definitely One To Watch and, if she wants it, she'll be going into the stratosphere.

Peace, Love & Tea,
Matt Henshaw x

Matt Henshaw Recommends ... 2013 (Ones to Watch for 2014)

A quick summary of the recommendations I made in the latter quarter of 2013 ... keep your eye on there chaps and chapesses !

Charlotte Carpenter

Leah Sinead

The Simpletones

Matt Zara

Mattayoux

Savanna Bones

The Bobcats

Stay tuned for more !!!