The Souljazz Orchestra
Rising Sun
Rating: 4.0 /5.0
Label: Strut Records
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. Rising Sun sheds its guitars and electronic keyboards, as well as the sextet's penchant for predominantly '70s funk beats. Every track leads listeners to a different realm of brass and woodwind glory. 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. 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.
Many instrumental albums, regardless of genre suffer from slumping second acts before proceeding with a climactic third. 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. Whether they're tackling sly noir jazz ("Serenity," "Consecration"), New Age ("Rejoice, Pt. 1") or Afro-jazz ("Mamaya"), the Orchestra perform compositions grander than what a mere six people should be capable of. And they do it without pretension. 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. A wise choice, as there's nothing more boring than an endless series of extended and aimless solos.
That's why Rising Sun has more potential than most other albums in its genre to entice an audience unfamiliar with jazz. It's accessible, and it's damn good. The light, rainy-day jazz of "Lotus Flower" blows the reed off anything Kenny G has ever recorded. "Negus Negast" could appeal to anyone into genres from hip-hop to funk, Latin and World music. 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.
by Jory Spadea
