Sade's Stuart Matthewman: From London to Twin Falls Idaho

Interview by Lisa Sharken

Grammy-winning songwriter/musician/producer Stuart Matthewman is a vital part of Sade. The multi-instrumentalist can be heard on sax, guitar, keyboard, and MIDI programming. He has appeared on all five of Sade's albums, all of which went triple platinum in the U.S. and have totaled sales over 50 million albums worldwide. All five albums were digitally remastered and reissued in November, 2000, to coincide with the release of Sade's first album of the 21st century, Sade's Lovers Rock. Their other releases are the EP Remix Deluxe and a 1994 concert video. He has also written and produced songs for Maxwell, his own band Sweetback, and the movie soundtrack Twin Falls Idaho

Born August 18, 1960, in Hull, North Yorkshire, England, Matthewman started playing clarinet as a child. During his teens, he picked up sax and began playing guitar. . In 1982, Matthewman relocated to London. Joining Latin funk band Pride, he met singer/songwriter Sade Adu. They began writing songs together. Teaming with bandmate Paul S. Denman and keyboardist Andrew Hale, they formed the band Sade.

Signing with Epic Records' U.K. division in 1984 and working with producer Robin Millar and engineer/producer Mike Pela, Sade's debut Diamond Life began a long string of hits. In 1995, Matthewman met singer Maxwell through percussionist Karl Vanden Bossche. Matthewman wrote and produced "Welcome," "Lonely's the Only," and "Whenever Wherever Whatever" and played sax and guitar on Maxwell's multi-platinum 1996 Columbia debut album Urban Hang Suite. With Sade bandmates Andrew Hale and Paul S. Denman, Matthewman recorded the self-titled debut of Sweetback. The CD was an attractive mix of ambient dub, trip-hop, retro soul, and acid jazz.

On October 31, 2000, Boulder. C0-based What Are Records issued the Matthewman-composed soundtrack to the independent movie hit Twin Falls Idaho. The album is a wonderfully eccentric affair and was recorded with the New York Philharmonic.

Gibson.com recently found Matthewman hanging in his natural habitat,--a New York recording studio with guitar in hand.

Stuart, please give us some background on the new Sade release.

We wrote and recorded Lovers Rock in Spain and England this year. I think we may have finally lost the 'Smooth Jazz' tag this time around! The chords are more rootsy (No major7 chords.)

What type of Guitars did you feature on it?

I used a Gibson Les Paul Recording, Gibson Les Paul Artisan and an acoustic. I always record direct through a Drawmer 1969 Pre/compressor. I never use any amps, just noisy stomp boxes.

With Sade live you play a Les Paul Goldtop with P90’s and a Chet Atkins model? What do you like about those guitars?

I use the Goldtop because it looks so sexy (It sounds great too!). The Chet Atkins is great live because it is so light and there is no chance of any feed back as I wander round the stage.

Please tell us about your exciting film scoring work?

I did my first full score last year for a film called Twin Falls Idaho. I am working on a great movie at the moment called Jackpot. It is also directed and produced by the Polish Brothers.

How did you get into film scoring?

It is something that always intrigued me as a young child. Plus after being in a group so long, I love working on my own sometimes (control freak).

How did you come to work with Sade and the other members of the troupe?

I met Sade, Paul (Denman) and Andrew (Hale) when I moved to London in 1981 and joined a band called Pride. Sade and myself started writing on our own and we released the first Album Diamond Life in 1984

Will there be a Sade tour in 2001?

Definitely, we will start rehearsing in the Spring.

What Gibsons will you feature on the road?

The Goldtop, Les Paul Recording and any new cool acoustics there may be.

What older Gibsons do you own? Any odd or rare pieces?

I have a white SG from the 60's , a stereo 345, Howard Roberts Fusion, a Marauder, a Firebird, Flying V, a J-160 E acoustic and a EB-O bass which I use all the time.

You wear many hats in your career. Do you view yourself as a writer, guitarist, saxophonist or producer?

I guess I am a "jack of all trades and a master of none."

Here's the link, if anyone's interested in a picture of Stuart: http://www.gibson.com/whatsnew/pressrelease/2001/feb15a.html
http://www.sade.com

TWO Sade videos are now available on the amazing new medium of DVD. Sade Live and Sade Greatest Hits