Available for download gratis from the above web address (note the three 't's in 'Matt'), ‘The Knowledge Of Good & Evil’ is a celebration of the unorthodox that I’m already inclined to think of as ‘A Triumph Of Good Over Evil’. Similar in structure to a classical symphony and at just over 20 minutes long, it showcases the introspective, near-abstract compositional savvy of Yorkshire-born, Lancashire-based avant-garde musician and free thinker MATT HAIGH.
Classically trained, Haigh earns a full-time living from music and combines his multi-instrumental talents with an uncanny feel for beats and breaks to create pieces of immense worth that have wide appeal, despite the underground or marginal space that’s occupied by both the musician and his music.
Recorded on an old MRS4 digital 4-track, Haigh’s trademark Yamaha electric violin is central only to the conclusion this voyage of discovery. Preceded by guitar and piano, it’s used to great effect as a woodwind instrument when matched with the sounds from an equally antique RT-123 drum machine, as the whole lot comes processed through a Boss GT8, a guitar FX device which the artist describes as his “little genie”
The opening piano/flute based ambience dissolves amidst a howling drum n’ bass cacophony, before the trip-hop tempo grinds and scratches to the sound of passing traffic. A simple but effective piano hook threads its way through the spaces above and beyond, where flute sounds combine with the gentlest of guitar arpeggios to create a powerful and bittersweet melancholy. The return of the cavernous yet claustrophobic sub-bass, banging like destructive frustration, cannot hope to eradicate the poignant and delicate beauty that comes from within. Sure enough, when it subsides, we are left with several moments of real beauty as the eight-movement soundscape comes to a positive conclusion.
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The two extremes that give the piece its title exist within all of us, and are juxtaposed several times as the music twists and turns wildly, with emotions unmistakably transcribed into digital and sheet music form. A full-time musician, Haigh has turned down work on several paid projects, thus turning his back on the easy option in order to devote his time to what he describes as “Music I felt compelled to make”.
Far-reaching and deep thinking, the music is strong throughout. Its versatility ensures that this is one soundscape that will engage you on a variety of levels before hitting the spot with uncanny accuracy somewhere between your head and feet.
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