Solidarity, the new album from The Souljazz Orchestra out September 18, 2012 on Strut Records, is pure fire. While you may know Souljazz for their afrobeat leanings, Solidarity spans a wide variety of styles and sounds with the help of several guest vocalists from different corners of the globe. The album was cut to a temperamental Tascam 8-track tape machine inherited from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at a surplus sale. The album definitely sounds like it's been recorded on a garage sale 8-track machine but not at all in a bad way. The gritty, retro sound quality lends itself to the classic sounds the orchestra is kicking out. It's almost like they put out a record of soulful funky music around the world circa 1974. Solidarity is definitely a fitting theme for this record. All ten tracks have a unique style and sound, but they all have a common soulful theme at the same time.
Listening to this record will definitely get you excited to see these guys live. If you live in the midwest, eastern US or Canada you'll get your shot sometime soon. When they cross the border they'll be touring with Brooklyn afrobeat luminaries Zongo Junction. I can personally attest to these guys' ability to tear up the stage. Check out the Souljazz tour dates starting November 9th in Toronto:
Nov 09 - Toronto, ON - Wrongbar
Nov 10 - Kingston, ON - The Mansion
Nov 15 - Québec, QC - Le Cercle
Nov 16 - Montréal, QC - Le Belmont
Nov 17 - Gatineau, QC - Petit Chicago
Nov 28 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground **
Nov 29 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall **
Nov 30 - New York, NY - Webster Hall **
Dec 01 - Washington, DC - Jammin' Java
Dec 02 - Philadelphia, PA - World Café Live **
Dec 04 - Buffalo, NY - Nietche's **
Dec 05 - Columbus, OH - Woodlands Tavern **
Dec 06 - Detroit, MI - Pike Room **
Dec 07 - Chicago, IL - The Empty Bottle **
Dec 08 - Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock
** - w/ Zongo Junction
** - w/ Zongo Junction
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