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Their last album Manifesto was very much in the traditions of Afrobeat and always gets a big reaction when we played ‘Parasite’. So, more of the same? You bet ya! Fela inspired Afro-jazziness is still at the forefront of this album and for an early taster go straight to ‘Agbara’ that hits the spot: the spirit of Fela lives in these guys like Antibalas, Konono N°1 and the like.

‘Mamaya’ is particularly danceable with sweet trumpet and killer baritone sax solos. And if you’re accosted in the back streets of Soho by a dodgy looking digger type (think Earl Zinger with a plastic mack) who says to you, “Er, you lookin’ for a rare Mulatu Astatke track son?” Well, check out ‘Negus Negast’ because such is the quality of the musicians of the band, this track could be passed off as a new Ethiopian gem from the studios.

If you’re in need of some CTi mid 70s big band cinematic jazz-funk groove, ‘Lotus Flower’ is what you need in a Lalo Schifrin/Freddie Hubbard-esque type way. If you’ve not heard music like this before, be prepared to be amazed.

‘Serenity’ starts with the inner contemplation of a McCoy Tyner and grows into a jazzed out Emanative space-beat groove or a Jazz Chronicle make over (as a quick aside, Emanative’s Remix 12” is in Universal Sounds now and there’s a very serious must have Jazz Chronicles selection coming out soon that is an ideal companion to Rising Sun), downtempo ‘Serenity’ with attitude, this is glorious stuff.

And if you’re looking for value for money, Alice Coltrane/Dorothy Ashby fans in need of some Japanese harp, the intro to ‘Consecration’ is modal re-birth before the trumpet does a sort of ‘Spain’ intro before getting into some free sax and a bit of killer basslines.

Sticking to the spiritual, Dwight Trible would have done a great skat on ‘Rejoice, Pt. 2’ as it’s just in his Pharoah Sanders state of consciousness - remix anyone?) Much like the remarkable Build An Ark project (as masterminded by Carlos Nino, see interview HERE and Love Part 1 review HERE), this is a spiritual experience (particularly the opener ‘Awakening’ and ‘Rejoice, Pt. 1’) but with a greater focus on movin’ booty.

So whilst you may have heard the themes of these tracks in a past formations/life, don’t get the idea that The Souljazz Orchestra are mere jazz karaoke cover version merchants. This is deep and beautiful jazz that covers all the best influences all on one album. If you want to dig deeper into the heritage, that’s fine. If you want to be a fan of The Souljazz Orchestra, that’s an equally good option.

On tour for the next few months in Canada and Europe, if they are half as good as the CD, they must be fantastic live. And if the cover of the album doesn’t give this one away, we all need to worship the Rising Sun; Ra! Sun Ra!

Reviewed: The Souljazz Orchestra - Rising Sun (Strut) Cat. No. STRUT058CD Release date: 22nd February 2010
1. Awakening (2:52)
2. Agbara (4:57)
3. Negus Negast (5:04)
4. Lotus Flower (5:19)
5. Mamaya (4:20)
6. Serenity (7:53)
7. Consecration (7:34)
8. Rejoice, Pt. 1 (2:20)
9. Rejoice, Pt. 2 (5:10)

Links :
souljazzorchestra.com
myspace.com/souljazzorchestra
facebook.com/pages/the-SoulJazz-Orchestra/51345213656
strut-records.com
myspace.com/strutrecords
Choreographer Bill T. Jones brings the life of Fela Kuti to Off Broadway http://nymag.com/arts/theater/profiles/49916/