published: 12 /
2 /
2014
Label:
Strut Records
Format: CD
Pleasant but flawed sixth album from salsa-influenced Ottawa-based jazz group, the SoulJazz Orchestra
Review
These heavily armed Canuck jazzmen, who are incidentally not related to London's majestic Soul Jazz label, perform what could almost be described as Latin loose freeform jazz. The pun intended indeed, the SoulJazz Orchestra dwells in thick salsa and on occasion finds that magic groove. Tiptoeing as if it was doing a crazed Egyptian dance routine, the pharaoic 'Kingdom Come' performs its snake ritual, with just about enough bite to save it from cliché.
'One Life to Live' bolts off to West Africa. Gone are all jazz music instruments, until a magnificent brass ensemble joins in. The juju touch may, however, not prove enough; after 'One Life to Live' the SoulJazz Orchestra returns without mercy to rolling fonky beats. Shaking cocktail drinks to no extent it seems, the album slows down to below par on 'Black Orchid'. If you've seen Peter Sellers in 'The Party', you will know exactly how this went wrong. 'Agoya', which develops into a Cuban bonanza, sets the tone for a humming procession, typifying the album's sloping quality. The sequence from 'Sommet en Sommet' into 'Celestial Blues', which follows next, is, however, rather majestic. The SoulJazz Orchestra consists both of party animals who know how to control themselves and how to go wild. 'Inner Fire' is a most pleasant effort.
Track Listing:-
1
Initiation
2
Kingdom Come
3
One Life To Live
4
As the Crow Flies
5
Black Orchid
6
Agoya
7
East Flows the River
8
Sommet en sommet
9
Celestial Blues
10
Completion
Band Links:-
https://twitter.com/souljazzorch
http://www.souljazzorchestra.com/
https://www.facebook.com/souljazzorche
http://www.last.fm/music/The+Souljazz+
Label Links:-
https://instagram.com/strutrecords/
https://twitter.com/strutrecords
https://www.youtube.com/user/strutreco
https://www.facebook.com/StrutRecords
http://www.strut-records.com/