Recorded in Valencia, ‘The Deal’ features some of the finest jazz musicians on the local and national scene, including the legendary Matt Baker on double bass, Simon Mark Taylor on saxophone and Nuno Alves on trumpet as well as Valencian multi-instrumentalist Miguel López Sevilla on piano & percussion. Leading the project, Will McCarthy is a distinctive guitarist who has composed award-winning documentary soundtracks for national television and short films over the years. Self-taught, Will McCarthy’s music has gained followers in the wider music world including chanteuse and actress Marianne Faithfull, lauded saxophonists Jorge Pardo and Ray Gelato and renowned music photographer Scarlet Page (daughter of Jimmy Page).  Tellingly, this somewhat mysterious new album has a cinematic atmosphere and a story to tell too.  It could be seen as a song-cycle or concept album, depending on your point of view.

What makes ‘The Deal’ so interesting from a thematic point of view is that just what “the deal” is… is open to interpretation. It could be a jewellery heist, a big drug deal, a contract killing or a benevolent parent paying huge medical fees for a pioneering cure to save their child’s life.  In terms of geographical location, the story starts in Scotland then continues in London.

Indeed, there are snippets of choirs and hymns throughout the album that suggests that at least one of the protagonists has a spiritual yearning of sorts and who never misses a chance to visit a church or cathedral.

Musically, there are acoustic jazz influences with trumpet, saxophone, piano and double bass complementing the guitar compositions throughout the album. There are also snatches of choirs, marching bands, music boxes and street life too. Somehow, there’s a touch of Victoriana hidden within these tracks. It’s a reflection of London both past and present. Examples are the Indian tablas in ‘Brick Lane’ that then segue into a ‘Huguenot’ choir of times past.

The album ‘The Deal’ is now available on all streaming services. To listen to the album: https://will-mccarthy.bandcamp.com/album/the-deal

Report by Ian Tomlinson

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’

More info: 
Will McCarthy: Guitars / Toy Piano / Bells
Nuno Alves: Trumpet / Cornet / Flugelhorn
Matt Baker: Double Bass
Miguel López Sevilla: Piano / Oboe / Percussion
Simon Mark Taylor: Saxophones
Dhruv Kothari: Tabla on ‘Brick Lane’
Antonio J. Iglesias: Drums & percussion on ‘The Hit’
Recorded, mixed and mastered at One Studios (Valencia, Spain)
Producer: Miguel López Sevilla
Album cover: Victor Aranda Garcia