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Reviews: New Soul Orchestra ~ Self-Titled
Posted on Sunday, May 02, 2004 @ 11:44:42 PDT
Topic: Reviews
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Artist: New Soul Orchestra
CD: Self-Titled
Home: New York City
Style: Orchestral R&B/Soul/Pop
Quote: "Interesting and irrepressibly infectious sound that is sexy, soulful and scintillating in a sometimes predictable musical genre."
By Heidi Drockelman
Appropriately enough, this record happened into my disc player after I spent the day watching the “I Love the 70’s” reruns on VH-1. It’s immediate and obvious that the New Soul Orchestra is bringing back the soul-pop orchestral vibe so familiar to fans of Earth, Wind & Fire. What may not be so obvious, however, is how to take a 13-piece retro-driven band of musicians and bring that vibe to fresh new heights in this decade. And while it may have taken a few listens for this to grow on me, I find the light-hearted, groove-laden style a welcome throwback in a time that is so heavily fixated on making R&B and hip-hop bigger and bolder than what their predecessors could have predicted.
The addition and use of rock guitars, horns and string lines still bring the easy funk, but the airy, natural lilt of lead singer Michael Miller luminates the lazy groove to a new level. While it’s difficult to concentrate on anything other than the vocals here, Miller is a part of a groove collective that emanates a positive message and spirit that offers a refreshing alternative even to the more mainstream neo-soul artists receiving airplay.
Oddly, however, during the first few songs, one of the other bands that kept popping into my head was 80’s style icons Spandau Ballet. While this may seem to be a departure in comparison to EWF, their updated spin on use of strings and a more orchestral arrangement and lyrical sentiment in focusing on Tony Hadley’s vocals may, in truth, be more in line with what Miller and Co. are doing with this record. If the unique voice is there, it only makes sense to highlight and enhance those breathy, emotive qualities with a full-developed instrumental approach. The complexity of the instrumental arrangements notwithstanding, the strength of this disc lies in the marriage of style and sentimentality to the listener. It’s an interesting and irrepressibly infectious sound that is sexy, soulful and scintillating in a sometimes predictable musical genre.
RIYL: Earth, Wind & Fire, Spandau Ballet, Curtis Mayfield
Standout tracks: “Venus” feat. Ron Anthony, “When Two People Need Each Other," “All I Ask of You”
http://www.newsoulorchestra.com
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