Matthew Larkin Cassell is a northern California songwriter, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist. His songwriting style is a fusion of funk, R&B, jazz and pop. A San Francisco Bay Area native, Mr. Cassell has made numerous appearances in the Bay Area and European tours throughout his formative years as a musician.
Mr. Cassell is best known for his original, privately pressed vinyl recordings from the 70’s and 80’s : the LP 'Pieces' from 1977, the EP, 'Matt The Cat' released in 1978, and the untitled 45 released in 1980. Mr. Cassell has seen a revival of interest in his music through the Internet, rare vinyl and beat collectors, worldwide. Copies of his original records have exceeded $1,700.
Joel Selvin of the San Francisco Chronicle writes[1] of Mr. Cassell’s the rediscovery of his recordings, “A 21st century digital fairy tale.” Mr Cassell's recordings and back story were covered by Paul Liberatore of the Marin Independent Journal.[2]
First re-emerging through The Kings of Digging[3] compilation helmed by the DJ team Kon & Amir, recording artists Madlib, M. F. Doom, and People Under The Stairs have since sampled Mr. Cassell’s early recordings.
Portions of Mr. Cassell’s catalogue have been re-issued by the Blues Interactions / P-Vine label in Japan, Rapster Records in Berlin, and the BBE label in London, and is currently signed to the Stones Throw [1] label in Los Angeles. His complete works are to be released by Stones Throw on May 17, 2010.
Mr. Cassell resides, records, and performs in northern California.
1977 'Pieces' 12”(private press) LP Track listing: 'Heaven' / sampled by Madlib/MF Doom' Madvillainy'; 'In My Life"/ 'Kings of Diggin' Kon & Amir
1978 'Matt The Cat' 12”(private press) EP Track listing; 'All I'm Missing is You' / sampled by PUTS/Stepfather 'You'
1980 'Untitled, w/kid picture' 7” (private press) 45 single
2006 Reissue 'In My Life' appears on 'Kings of 'Diggin' CD, Kon/Amir, Rapster Records, Berlin/BBE, London
2007 Reissue 'Heaven' Single 7' 'Off Track' Kon/Amir, BBE, London
2008 'Privatepress4' 12”(private press) EP single
2008 Reissue - 2 CDs- 'Pieces' & 'Matt The Cat/45 Untitled' P-Vine / Blues Interactions label, Tokyo
2010 Reissue Complete Catalogue Vinyl (2x) & CD, Stones Throw, Los Angeles