Take two scoops of Funk; throw in a healthy serving of Reggae; stir in some Piedmont Blues; throw in a pinch of Latin Flavor for spice, and top it off with some Old School R&B. Shake it up and you've got Sol & his band. A venerable pan stew of groove.
Sol leads a collaboration of musicians of the southeast and mid-atlantic regions of the US. Sol and his band are no strangers to the road.
The band members have collectively covered much of the surface of the earth on tour, lighting up venues across North America, Europe, Australia and the Caribbean.
Sol has shared the stage with music heavyweights such as Taj Mahal, BB King, Cootie Starks, Cool John Ferguson, John Dee Holeman, Robert Randolph, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Derek Trucks and others.
Paying homage to the greats, Sol seeks to bring Roots Music to a new generation of listeners.
The CD release, entitled Freedom, features the core musical unit of Sol on guitar and vocals, King George on drums, and Jake Dempsey on bass. Also guest appearances by Tim Smith (who can also be found on recordings with Squirrel Nut Zippers, Hobex, and the Countdown Quartet), as well as members of Virginia’s up-and-coming reggae groups, the Seed, and the Alliens. With these special guests, the new album moves from greasy delta grooves to deep reggae, and from stanky funk to soulful R&B.
Here's what some reviewers are saying about Freedom:
"one of the top 15 CD's of 2008!"- Green Arrow Radio (created by the Funk Soul Music Director at WHUS) placed the album alongside Sean Costello, Taj Mahal, Bill Laswell, PBS, Marcus Miller & more in top picks of 2008!
“Sol is excellent at morphing rock, blues, soul, and reggae, taking it all to a different level and contributing to the evolution of music into- quoting Sly Stone- 'a whole new thing'. Freedom is a great example of this band’s music and a truly enjoyable listening experience”- Len Comaratta- WUVT Music Director
"Sol pulls together funk, soul, blues and reggae elements...
Sol uses his right hand fingers, not a pick, to get his bluesy, dirty-sweet solo lines, and he delivers the raw and tasteful in even helpings....
You have to admire a blues/soul singer who is trying to sound like himself, instead of some old blues guy... Good Party Music... " - Tad Dickens- Press Review
"Sol pours out his heart and soul on Freedom. A must have for any music collection" - Wes Lee- Locals Only Radio (Washington DC area)
"An instant favorite!! Put it on anytime and it will make you feel good..." Jean Bayou- President- Songwriters Association of Washington DC
"...songs that take us on an adventure- from uplifting spiritual and prophetic warnings, to gut wrenching blues; and from the light and dark of human emotion- told by exceptional musicians, reminding us that great music is still being made....
....on your second listen, you notice all the little things- sounds, taps, beautiful background vocals, awesome sax, flute, and keyboards- and begin to realize two master engineers put this CD together.
They have woven a tapestry of music that will uplift and warm your soul. " - Advance Tribune
Read more...