The Souljazz Orchestra - Rising Sun

Presenter

Damian Smith

Published

Wednesday 24th February

Strut Records

Canadian cats The Souljazz Orchestra have been around since 2002, but this is their best work yet. In turns tribal, bombastic, ambient and blue, Rising Sun is an eminently satisfying mix of solid grooves. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a chilled-out block party.

It meanders on occasion, but it’s never boring; it starts with a slow burner, bursts into action, briefly inspects its navel, then builds to a joyful climax. The afrobeat influence is clear throughout, but it’s so much more than that – a bold streak of jazz (could I be so haughty as to say ethio-jazz?) informs the music, with departures into Latin, funk and even Celtic.

This is the Souljazz Orchestra’s fourth album, but their first on London-based Strut Records, who know how to spot a good release – they’re responsible for putting out Breakestra’s latest barnstormer, the super funky Nigeria 70, and for the trainspotters, the quirky but very cool Christmas Groove compilation RTR featured at the end of last year.

It’s also the Orchestra’s first attempt to go all-acoustic, a format that complements its suite of soulful horns and intelligent polyrhythmic percussion. Don’t expect too much in the way of vocals – there’s some chanting, but it’s not designed to take centre stage.

Rising Sun is more inventive and varied than their earlier work, yet manages to sound more cohesive and original than ever.

This week sees the group set off on a tour of Canada and Europe to launch the album – including a couple of gigs with the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, who pass through Perth on Sunday.