Musically accompanying a 1963 short film by Roman Davydov called “Shareholders” The Souljazz Orchestra, offering up an additional socio-economic and political commentary of their own, hammer home a decidedly poignant opener to their latest long-player, Under Burning Skies (September 2017) with Dog Eat Dog. Musically powerful and funky, this band is making a danceable statement about our world gone horribly wrong-not in 1963-but today. The Souljazz Orchestra has been making great music for 15 years. Their sound is a blending of soul, jazz, afrobeat, and more. The Canadian six-piece,…
Read MoreVodka readers may remember Sara Niemietz from our review of Taxi Outside from her wonderful EP Fountain and Vine about a year ago. Enter Sara’s first full-length LP, Travel Light (July 2017) which includes 10 pop, jazz, lounge tracks-polished musical gemstones really, featuring Sara’s powerful and beautiful vocals. There is so much to love about this music. Travel Light kicks off with what we would call a straight-up pop song, New Things. Don’t Walk Me Home follows up with a bluesy tune in the vein of Taxi Outside. Monroe is a…
Read MoreNew Venusians (self-titled long-player March 2017) combine alternative sensibilities with funky beats and a hip-hop soul to create a truly fresh sound, fronted for the most part by the beautiful high soprano vocals of talented Meklit Kibret. On their debut release, the beats and bass are a powerful influence, providing an ever-present metronome to the infectious melodies here. Present, too, are elements of vocal and instrumental jazz, making the overall sound complex but very accessible. You can find information on New Venusians from their Facebook about page. They do…
Read MoreHailing from Vienna, Austria, [dunkelbunt] (a.k.a. Ulf Lindemann and a band of extras) fuses hip-hop, jazz, and other non-traditional styles such as fiddle n bass to reveal an energetic and wonderful sound all his own. Whatever it is, I dare you… no, double-dog dare you, to listen without moving something on your body (hands, feet, head)! This amalgam of sound is so pleasing and uplifting! Get your dance shoes on! Egal featuring Alex (seen/heard here) is from the [dunkelbunt] long-player Mountain Jumper (March 2015). The collection is full…
Read MorePurple Crayon weaves wonderful, dreamy soul music, with masterful instrumentation, the supreme lead vocals of the minimally histrionic Teira Church and delightful songwriting of Ted Case. It’s a match made in jazz/soul heaven as witnessed here on After You from their self-titled debut long-player released at the end of last year (December 2014). For now, your best bet to find more information on the band is to visit their Facebook page. You can pick up the debut long-player at their Bandcamp site. Check out…
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