Mati Haskell

Here is a debut record beyond anything I’ve heard before.

Mati Haskell pushes more boundaries than many would
dare on their second or third record, let alone their first. This record is astounding!

The long awaited debut from the soulful songstress Mati Haskell is a wonderful Americana record
exploring blues, roots, soul, country, gospel and jazz with such passion and professionalism, it’s a record well beyond a debut!

The dynamics of her vocal style are just incredible, while her soulful interpretations of life take you into a world you inevitably get lost in. From Ontario, and influenced by the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Etta James and Mike Farris, this music is deeply moving and
boasts a stellar line up of musicians. Produced in Nashville the record has an authenticity about it that claims her as a major breakthrough artist with record number one!

Opening with "Show Me" the claims made are just made concrete by the evidence of this sultry show stopper, and joined by the McCrary Sisters on harmonies, the
standard set is impressive.

"Nothing But The Blues" takes the listener down a blues-laden track, devilishly appealing and a discovery in itself of one of the most passionate takes
on female led blues music of recent years.

"Purgatory" is another wonderful story exploring being sent down for something you didn’t do in regards to love and keeping a relationship going.

"Why" is an explosive track accompanied by some wonderful musicians, including a whole line up of trumpets, trombones and saxophones, which really make this track stand out from the rest of the collection as a real showcase of talent, while pushing Mati to her vocal limits and more!

An incredible record...
Laura Bethell/Maverick Magazine UK - Maverick Magazine (UK)

Paste a label on it once, because that is something we as a critic always try and try again. This time it is really difficult.

On her excellent debut explores Mati Haskell all regions within the broad framework of the Americana genre: blues, soul, jazz, country, gospel ... that's all there, immediately to a surprisingly high level.

Mati Haskell proves straight away with its first release that will have to accrue in the account of her singers like this are few and far between.

Her voice is passionate and full of strength, one of the highest levels. Clearly we hear influences of great
predecessors like Bonnie Raitt, Etta James, Maria Muldaur and Tracy Nelson, and they should not be inferior.

Mati is from Ontario, but moved to Nashville for her debut, surrounded herself with a bunch of top names such as keyboardist Reese Wynans, Tom Britt on slide, Carlos del Junco on harmonica, on backing vocals include Becca Bramlett and the McCrary Sisters. Some names are but from a long list that shows the occupation. There is even a large horn section,
which focuses on shooting action in "Why", another must.

"Show Me" which opens the CD's can begin to hit, a slightly jazzy number that thanks to the Mc Crary's to a new level is high.

Although the CD for the most part as I said in Nashville was recorded before the balance is still largely to the gospel and bluesy edge than the country direction.

Songs like "Nothin 'But The Blues", "Purgatory" and "Fade To Black" which bear distinctive stamp, but some are tinged country, but the blues feeling is that even in clear tracks through the pores of her voice dripping.

In short, the eleven songs that the CD is rich, is not directly a weak track to pick up all the songs really fascinating from beginning to end. Passionate well written, soulful songs this strong first-fill.

When "You Give My Blues A Name", the most demure, fragile song that the CD also shut, quietly dying you know for sure: Mati Haskell made for me for
one of the most surprising and powerful debut's of 2011 so far. If we still want to stick a label, then without doubt one of "quality". This we enjoyed spinning. Am already looking forward to that successor. - Rootstimes (Belgium) Review (Translated)

“So seductive, Mati's voice will send shivers of sensation down your spine, kind of like Joni Mitchell with a bit more soul and sass. From our friends across the border in Canada.”
- Independent Global Music

"Here's what I have to say: Unbelievable voice that sends goosebumps all the way to my heart! Mati Haskell is a major star... some people just don't know it YET!"
-Pauline Stevens

"I am on the Maple Blues Awards Nominating Committee and wanted you to know that I nominated you as Best New Artist Of The Year. You are in with some great talent but you truly stand out to me. I was blown away! Beautiful voice!"
-James Doran

Legendary New Grass Revival Vocalist “John Cowan” On watching Mati’s new video “Nothin’ But The Blues:
“WOW! That was just fabulous” and “I watched it again and it gets better everytime”

Nashville drum veteran John Gardner
"Hey JK! What you did with Mati's CD was incredible! Seriously. It sounds amazing. Of course it's great when someone can sing as well as Mati does but the production blew me away. I've listened to it over and over. Good on both of you."

“I just love the 'Baby King' track. You did a really first class job - great vocal, great guitar, great sound. Thank you for doing one of my tunes.”
-Jesse Winchester

“I love the version of Blessing! It might be the best one yet”
-Johanna Hall

“I absolutely love your singing and believe you have a bright future.”
- Danny Brooks - "The People"

Mati Haskell is not even close to Missouri but when the Ontario, Canada native kicks off ’10,2&6’ (her debut) with “Show Me” she crosses borders like she crosses country with jazz and blues in her music.

With shout outs to “Etta James and Miss Holiday” in her songs, Mati shows her roots with some mighty skats (“Why”), gets stripped down and smokey (“Fade to Black”), raises swamp boogie hell (“Purgatory”) and testifies to the heavens with guest Jonell Mosser (“Blessing”) - The Alternate Root (U.S.A.)