Press and Reviews

His presence is my passion, His glory is my goal

Press and Reviews

Christian Living TODAY magazine - South Africa

JEWEL OF AFRICA
Matt McChlery speaks about his musical history in Zimbabwe and his debut worship album, Fly. By Kirsty Wilkins

Zimbabwean born musician and singer Matt McChlery clearly has talent: he’s been compared to Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin and David Gray. Having recently released his debut worship album, Fly, I caught up with him to find out more.

Matt was born in Zimbabwe in 1979 and it was here that his musical career began. At four years old, he sat down at a piano and played the national anthem by ear - “my mother was obviously shocked!” he says.

Although Matt took piano lessons in primary school, it was guitar that appealed to him most. “I was given a guitar for my birthday one year – I thought it was cool, but I had no idea how to play it,” he says. He got the opportunity to start while in high school in Zimbabwe – a teacher at the youth group he attended encouraged him to play. Showing Matt three simple chords, the teacher left him to it. “Something stirred within me as I played,” he says. “I found that I enjoyed it so much, I practiced every moment I got. Soon, I could change chords with no break in the beat.”

Throughout school in Zimbabwe and then into varsity in South Africa, Matt continued to improve his skills, leading worship at various churches and youth groups. “Even now, I make a point to go to various seminars that deal with vocals, guitar playing, worship leading and song writing. There is always something new to learn and I strongly believe that we need to strive for excellence in all that we do, especially when what we do is for Jesus,” he comments

His first single, Jewel of Africa, was recorded in his last year of varsity and made the Top 10 on the Zimbabwean charts in 2002. For the last four years, he’s been living and working in the UK and has recently released his debut album, Fly. Most of the songs are based on personal experience, “although I also try to write songs about what God is currently doing or saying in my local church,” he says.

Matt’s style can mostly be described as contemporary pop/rock worship, “but I try to be as eclectic as possible. I listen to what’s currently happening in Christian music as well as secular music, so my songs will be able to serve the church as well as able to reach outside the church walls to touch those far from God.”

When asked what he’s listening to at the moment, he replied: “U2’s new album, 18 Singles, Lemar’s The Truth About Love, Matt Redman’s Beautiful News and the latest Hear the Music worship album called Change the World.”

Matt concludes that he prays that God will anoint the songs he writes and sings “so that many lives will be touched by His Spirit.”

February 2007 edition

Christian Living TODAY magazine - South Africa

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.

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

MATT McCHLERY : Fly.
"Born in Zimbabwe, but now residing over here in the UK, Matt committed his life to the Lord shortly after his 13^th 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."

Reviews sent in to NCM (New Christian Music)

About the song 'Glory To The Lord'

New Music Enterprises

"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!"

"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

Permission required to reproduce or save any content.