by cheryl santa maria
After enduring four weeks of freezing cold, snow, hail, and rain, this winter-fearing Canadian has decided to pack up and head to Mexico. That’s right, chupas. By the time you read this, I will be sitting on the beach sipping piña coladas.
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I’m leaving for the airport in about five hours, and as I type this I’m also trying to finish packing and loading my ipod with vacation-friendly music. I’ve picked an assortment of songs by artists that make me feel warm and happy, like Bob Marley, Bedouin Soundclash, Sublime, Lily Allen, Fojeba, Al Green, Erykah Badu, and a band I’ve recently discovered called The Souljazz Orchestra.
I came across these guys recently and the more I listen to them, the more I like them – and I’m not alone in that. The Souljazz Orchestra has shared the stage with heavy weights such as Etta James and Femi Kuti, and they have impressive followings in North America and Europe. Their single “Mista President” was voted one of the top ten tracks of 2007 by listeners on Gilles Peterson’s BBC radio show, and since coming together in 2002 this six piece band out of Ottawa, Ontario has put out three full-length albums, two EPs, and have tracks appearing four music compilations.
I love the way the band takes established genres like Funk, Soul, Jazz, and Afrobeat and makes them sound new. I love the sharp, and seemingly effortless way their music comes together and how their sound brings to mind vibrant colors and vintage days.
Their latest album, Manifesto, is described as a “blend” of “powerful chants, majestic brass, overheated organs, chicken-scratch guitars, hypnotic bass and poly rhythmic percussion” and it’s good … really good.
If you’d like to see these guys perform live, you’re in luck. The Souljazz Orchestra is currently in the midst of a “hectic” tour schedule, and they just might be coming to a city near you! Check their website for details.
On that note, I’ll bid you adieu. Hasta luego, amigos. I’ll see you in a week!
