Matt McChlery was born in Zimbabwe and now lives in the UK. From an early age he has been involved in the writing and performing of praise and worship music and his latest offering, Fly, is testament to the skills and the experience he has accumulated on his musical journey. The 11 tracks on this offering reflect on his walk with God. recorded at Appletree studios, the album includes tracks such as 'Cling To You', 'Wait Upon You', and 'Never Ending Love'. The title track is supported by lead guitar that does just that - it flies with a haunting airiness, together with Matt and his backing vocalist Nancy Sawyer. The album is not available through conventional stores, but may be purchased through Matt's website.
I met Matt very briefly at the Ultimate Event at Alton Towers this year in the merchandise tent where he was busy doing a bit of promotion with some friends for this album. You probably haven’t heard of Matt McChlery before unless you are living in the Cambridge area. However his songs have been taken up and played by 400 radio stations in 21 countries with many of them gaining favourable reviews.
God has placed it on his heart to be a worship leader but until it becomes a fulltime job he works as a primary school teacher. Originally from Zimbabwe, Matt attended Rhodes university before eventually making his way to the UK where he is involved in leading church worship as well as trying to create a resource for the UK church by making his music available both on CD and song book format.
Listening to the album you wouldn’t necessarily notice much of an influence from his background, sounding like many of the worship artists who have broken the ground over the last 10 years. There are occasionally glimmers of electric rock guitars but that is not surprising for someone who became a Christian at a Christian rock concert. Often the music is reflective on the self and lifting praise and worship to God as a result of the introspection. Not bad for someone who is a self taught guitar player and song writer. The 11 tracks on this album continually bring the listener back to the grace of God, even if it is not said in that way.
Although the CD clearly doesn’t have the budget of many worship leaders it is not the production quality or number of backing singers or even the cover of this disc that we should be looking at, it is the lyrics, which are real and worshipful and the music which is simply constructed allowing for congregational worship or solo performance. It’s the heart that matters, and clearly Matt is a man chasing after God’s heart.
July 2006
Review sheet sent to NCM (New Christian Music)
About the song 'Your Love Changes Me'
“10/10 Excellent”
Joy & Pejay, Country Roads, FM One 98.5, Australia
“Good”
Rein Wortelboer, Peelgrass Radio, Holland
“Should do well for Matt, good track”
Barry Dixon, Journalist, UK
“Nice pleasant offering”
Graham Hassall, Radio Nightingale , UK
“Matt you wear your heart on your sleeve in your songs, this is one of your best. A true man of the Fens !!”
Dennis Payne, Hot FM & Son FM, Australia
“The song is good and well written and Matt’s voice is fine. But the overall production lacks the spark to make this work on radio”
Mike Rimmer, CMBC Media Productions, Cross Rhythms, BBC West Midlands, UK
“Good”
Warren Fuller, 2nurfm, Australia
“Good”
Tony Jasper, Journalist, UK
“Great worship song”
Malcolm Clarke, Radio Northwick Park , UK
“Good pop/rock”
Tom Kawai, Real Country Radio, Worldwide, Lonestar Café Show RT-FM, Lonestar Café Satelite , Japan
“Good vocal sound”
Bill Rowe, Radio Poplar & City Sound , UK
“Matt’s songs have a lot of thought and prayer behind them”
Geoff Howlett, BBC Radio Humberside , UK
“Engaging and radio friendly”
Paul Davis, NCM Radio Show broadcasts to over 205 radio stations worldwide, UK
“9/10 Excellent”
Roger Hill, Journalist, UK
“Good”
Stuart Cameron, Journalist, Scotland
“Excellent start and the instruments were well balanced, including crashing cymbals against Matt’s voice, that was not really strong enough to compete. An enjoyable piece though, but a little more emotion in the voice would have helped a little, so as to vary the song a little?”
Steve Bridges, Radio Cherwell , UK
“Very good”
Jackie Blair, Journalist, Scotland
May 2006
Never For Nothing
Geoff Howlett
"Born in Zimbabwe, but now residing over here in the UK, Matt committed his life to the Lord shortly after his 13th birthday. His early songs were used to bless his local church, and he has appeared on both South African TV and radio. This album, recorded at Appletree Studios, sees Matt present us with 11 songs, ably assisted some competent musicians. Instantly getting you singing along is “Cling to You” – a nice opener. Matt’s acoustic guitar playing has a touch of David Gray style about it, and it’s most noticeable on the worship song “Wait Upon You”. The song also features some lovely backing vocals from Nancy Sawyer. It’s a very personal collection of songs, which seems to depict the singer’s own relationship with God, warts and all. The title track tells of “flying” to God’s, loving arms, and it’s a song that grows on you the more you listen. Matt tries something a little different with the piano led “I Fall Down”, but I personally found this to be one of the weaker moments. On the whole, Matt proves that he can not only sing well, but writes some very good songs, too. His hardest task will be to match this quality in the years to come. 8/10."
April 2006
Reviews sent in to NCM (New Christian Music)
About the song 'Glory To The Lord'
Very good”
Jackie Blair, Journalist, Scotland
“Good”
Rein Wortelboer, Peelgrass Radio, Holland
“Pleasant song, doesn’t break any moulds but good easy listening”
Pastor Keith Brown, Hiscoming Ministries Radio , UK (Broadcasts worldwide)
“Good”
David Smith, Zany Sounds Promotions, UK
“Good tune, good melody”
Tom Kawai, Real Country Radio, Worldwide, Lonestar Cafe Show RT-FM , Japan , Lonestar Cafe Satelite , Japan
“9/10 Fine sound good feeling – super gospel”
John Edward, Radio Maria , Austria
“Very good rhythm and lyrics”
Bob Storrar, radio presenter, Scotland
“Matt we play your last one, we surely will play this one. Well done”
Dennis Payne, Hot Fm & Son FM, Australia
“Would prefer to hear this in a live worship setting rather than in a studio”
Jon Harle, BBC Radio Newcastle , UK
“Nice ballad”
Otto Waldoft, SWAWC, Radio Rorrig, NR Radio, Radio Gladsaxe , Denmark
“Good”
Gerd Stassen, Radio Ems Vechte Welle , Germany
“Pleasant record”
Barry Dixon, Journalist, UK
“Great airplay potential”
Paul Davis, NCM & NCM Radio Show (syndicated to approx 200 stations worldwide), UK
“10/10 High quality offering”
Graham Hassall, Radio Nightingale , UK
5 April 2006
New Music Enterprises
Paul Davis
"Inspirational worship folksinger, Matt's style dwells in gentle terrain to generally acoustic backdrop with an occasional visit to more lively electric sound territory. Matt's convincing attitude, association and affiliation has shaped him into what he is today. His pulpit worship role at The King's Chruch, Wisbech, England is one he does not take lightly. UK recorded, this self-penned set has a plentifully warm appealing sound that captures attention immediately in a clean, clear, direct, and honest package. Riding high in the NCM Euro Charts in 2006 with single songs, his CD is a labour of love and is highly enticing in content. This album deserves a searching out!"
March 2006
Cross Rhythms
Ross Dilnot
"Passionate, thoughtful, emotional, reflective - all words that come to mind when you listen to Cambridgeshire based Matt McChlery's debut album. In a time where there is much new worship music being written by well known, competent Christian artists, Matt's songs are up there with the best of them. The beauty of this album is its simplicity. The message in all of his songs is reflected upon God. Songs entitled "Cling To You", "Wait Upon You", and "Never Ending Love" show his passion for God and more importantly God's passion for us. The title track is supported by lead guitar that does just that - it flies with a haunting airiness, together with Matt and his backing vocalist Nancy Sawyer. If I had anything negative to say it would be why hasn't Matt been discovered sooner? in a cut-throat music world, Matt McChlery is up there with the best of them, flying with a fine debut. (Score: 8 out of 10).
2nd March 2006
Kingsway Music
Mark Bowater
"It's Fantastic to hear heartfelt worship; I encourage you to keep on keeping on. I trust your ministry will bless people. The writing style I like and you have a great vocal, it's obvious that you're a genuinely gifted guy".
February 2006
Reviews sent in to NCM (New Christian Music)
About The Song 'Fly'
"Good sound - super music"
John Edward, RMA, Austria
"Good rhythm and lyrics"
Bob Storrar, Broadcaster, Scotland
"Nice easy listening"
Carol Allen, Revival Time Radio, Australia
"Good Praise & Worship message. Would like to hear more"
Dennis Payne, Hot FM, Sonraysia Gospel Radio, Austrailia
"Good backing vocal"
Roy Fernyhough, Radio Quay West 102.4FM, UK
Saturday 7th January 2006
Cross Rhythms
Worship leader Matt McChlery teams up with producer Phillip Goss for new album.
WISBECH-based singer, guitarist and worship leader Matt McChlery has recorded and album at Appletree Studios with producer Phillip Goss. The project 'Fly' is released independently. 
