Matt Hill has live music in his blood.

Going to work with Dad usually meant the NEC arena, Wembley or Hammersmith Apollo to check up on a Quo tour and have a chat with the crew. Holidays in France included dropping in at Nimes amphitheatre for A-Ha or the B-52s at the Zenith in Paris.

“Ingrained in my earliest memories are the thundering sound of drums through an arena-sized PA system, the roar of the crowd, together in one voice, and the power, authority and beauty introduced into the atmosphere with one carefully executed note from an electric guitar.”

His own musical education came through the London gospel scene and, like many notable artists, playing in church. Over the years he has met, and played with, some of the world’s most incredible musicians.

“It’s a privilege to watch pop acts on TV and be able to call some of those top session players, that are backing up the stars, friends.”

Matt’s own style holds together both a love for spontaneity and a respect for the song. This comes together beautifully on his highly anticipated first solo record ‘Masterpiece’.

With the velvet tones of blues guitar and the pocket grooves of 90s funk, the quality of musicianship shines through.

“I wanted to strip things back and create space in the music. Space to breathe, space to explore, space to listen. So we recorded it live in a big room as a three piece. Myself, Jimmi Clarke (Bass, Il Divo) and Jonathan ‘Ginger’ Hamilton (Drums, Jessie J).”

However, this is no jam session. Here is the worked of a skilled craftsman. The arrangements are restrained—producing an incredibly mature sounding debut. The lyrics are evocative and emotive—inviting us to reflect and even participate.

“It is a mammoth task to tell a whole story in so few words, but that very challenge is what I love. I think there is great power in songs that tell an open and vulnerable story – the frailty of humanity compared to the vast mysteries of eternity. But there is also something of beauty in singing about something greater than ourselves. Songs of faith, hope and love. Eternal themes.”

So what about that rather bombastic title?

“I’m not saying this album is my masterpiece, but rather that we are heaven’s masterpiece. Just the way we are.”