2010’s ‘Rising Sun’, their first for Strut, was recognised as a. Breaking through on Toronto label Do Right, ‘Freedom No Go Die’ (2006, featuring their huge single ‘Mista President’) and ‘Manifesto’ (2008) set the bar high. Souljazz doesn't reinvent soul, jazz or the fusion thereof, but it plays all of the above with the passion that drove its forefathers. Now celebrating their 10th year, The Souljazz Orchestra continue their unrivalled run of fine albums. All the instruments make essential contributions, but the vibraphone is a clear standout here: Hearing those long, watery notes cast out over a fusion beat brings to mind a fantasy collaboration between Fela Kuti and the Modern Jazz Quartet's Milt Jackson. Ottawa, Canadas Souljazz Orchestra have been around since 2002, releasing three albums of Afro-beat-inspired jazz before Rising Sun, their fourth.
"Negus Negast" is one of nine instrumental tracks that play with a strong beat and even stronger solos, as an initial burst of brass and drums creates a bombastic flavor before making way for heavy horns. The group's versatility hasn't suffered, either as Souljazz emulates Latin jazz with the same attention to detail it lends its more Afrobeat-influenced songs. All the electric guitars, organs and lead vocals have been thrown out the window this time around, and, despite achieving an entirely acoustic sound, The Souljazz Orchestra sounds louder than ever. If Radiohead is the gateway band from rock to electronica, and the Sugarhill Gang bridged the gap between funk and rap, then the Souljazz Orchestra could very well be the crossover act if jazz ever gets invited back into the mainstream.On the new Rising Sun, Canada's Souljazz Orchestra lives up to all three parts of its name, with more instrumentation than ever and some notable sonic innovations since 2008's Manifesto. “Negus Negast” could appeal to anyone into genres from hip-hop to funk, Latin and World music. Hailing from Ottawa, The Souljazz Orchestra combinejazz, funk, African and Latin music while touching on politics and spirituality. The light, rainy-day jazz of “Lotus Flower” blows the reed off anything Kenny G has ever recorded. When a band is called The Souljazz Orchestra, there is a certain expectation to uphold that name and to provide a sound thataccompanies such a title this band accomplishes just that and more. That’s why Rising Sun has more potential than most other albums in its genre to entice an audience unfamiliar with jazz.
The souljazz orchestra rising sun full#
Freedom No Go Die (from 2006) and 2010s all-instrumental Rising Sun. In the mid-2000s, Souljazz Orchestra emerged playing West African funk and highlife rife with propulsive horn hooks, blown-out keyboards, and call-and-response refrains full of political fervor.
The souljazz orchestra rising sun series#
A wise choice, as there’s nothing more boring than an endless series of extended and aimless solos. This marks the Souljazz Orchestras tenth year together and if their fifth album Solidarity is any indication. As liberal as the group is with showcasing their talent during solo tradeoffs, they keep their improv concise to prevent it from becoming the focus. 1”) or Afro-jazz (“Mamaya”), the Orchestra perform compositions grander than what a mere six people should be capable of. Whether they’re tackling sly noir jazz (“Serenity,” “Consecration”), New Age (“Rejoice, Pt. Not so with Rising Sun the band’s genre-bending and unifying consistency – traits derived from their fluid arrangements, immaculate timing and tasteful, gimmick-free improvisations – are the defining qualities that maintains the album’s eminence. The Souljazz Orchestra lays out afro-jazz tracks on this all-acoustic release, deftly mixing a strongly African sound with a variety of solo styles, reminiscent of Coltrane, Sun Ra, and Mulatu Astatke. Many instrumental albums, regardless of genre suffer from slumping second acts before proceeding with a climactic third. Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2010. Although the group hails from Ottawa, the track’s pummeling Latin rhythms project an aura of Caribbean sunshine and soul you won’t find in Canada for half of any given year. If it’s not clear from the somber, jazzy opener “Awakening” that the group is avidly venturing into more eclectic and diverse fields, then surely “Agbara” will.
Every track leads listeners to a different realm of brass and woodwind glory. Rising Sun sheds its guitars and electronic keyboards, as well as the sextet’s penchant for predominantly ’70s funk beats. Sick of power chords, synthesizers, vocals and samples? The Souljazz Orchestra’s all-acoustic follow-up to their 2008 Manifesto would be a pleasant break in your rock and hip-hop rotations.