The Souljazz Orchestra - Uprooted (2005)

«Since 2002, the Ottawa-based band has been keeping the classic sounds of raw, gritty groove alive and well in Canada. Their style combines jazz, funk, African and Latin music with messages touching on politics and spirituality. The blaring horns, retro keyboards and polyrhythmic beats show the influence of James Brown, Herbie Hancock, Fela Kuti and Tito Puente, but the sound remains nonetheless refreshingly original. Their stylistic variety is in part due to the diverse musical backgrounds of the band’s individual members: jazz, funk, blues, reggae, classical, and traditional Cuban, Brazilian and West African percussion. The Souljazz Orchestra has had the chance to collaborate with notable artists such as Beautiful Nubia and Mighty Popo, and has opened up for Etta James, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, John Lee Hooker Jr., The Sadies, and more. The Souljazz Orchestra's all-original debut album, Uprooted, was released in April of 2005 to critical acclaim, receiving nation-wide airplay through public and campus radio. The band recently released their second album, Freedom No Go Die. This high-energy project focuses mainly on afrobeat music, and features the vocal stylings of Mighty Popo, Alanna Stuart and Marielle Rivard.» (radio3.cbc.ca)

«Si Shaft devait renaître, il choisirait le Soul Jazz Orchestra pour illustrer ses aventures. Une bande son télescopant toutes les musiques afro-américaines du 20e siècle, orchestrant l’ambiance faite de débrouille et de misère banale des ghettos urbains, mais aussi exigence de l’existence dans ce qu’elle peut avoir de plus léger, urgence d’être tout simplement. Le discret martèlement des percussions sonne le rappel de racines ancestrales et nous délivre des forêts d’immeubles. Un son furieusement funky à la pulsion de vie salutaire, à l’image des poings levés ornant la pochette de l’album Freedom No Go Die (DoRight ! Music). Une énergie en diable qui anime les corps dans une transe assoiffée de liberté et de délice.» (let’s motiv)

Link (fixed) in comments