The highly-acclaimed, genre-fusing artist Sola
Rosa is back with a new EP In Spaces - a
stellar addition in the artist’s almost two-decade career. In Spaces explores the soundscapes of funk, soul and RnB, pillared
by sturdy grooves and commanding vocal performances from a selection of
outstanding feature artists.
The EP breezes in with Leave a Light On -
helmed by British singer Kevin Mark Trail (The Streets) and finessed by the lustrous L.A. Mitchell in the chorus. The crisp bass tones are coupled with synthesised
accents that ooze across the song. Trail’s billowing vocals rise and swell
through the haze of the rhythm.
So Fly picks up the pace in this funky
dance number. Trail takes on the role of MC, with clever and snappy rhymes that
are rounded out by the sass of the chorus. I was humming along to these first
two tracks in my head for days after I first listened to the EP. Andrew
Spraggon, the man behind Sola Rosa, demonstrates an innate understanding of
what makes a good song - as he has done in the past with hits like Del Ray and Turn Around. It’s the simplicity he imparts in his song writing and production,
and the way he coalesces electro-ambience into the sound, which really energises
a good Sola Rosa track.
Trail’s third appearance on the EP comes in
the form of Truth where he throws in a more roots/reggae zest.
The soulful Back to You features up-and-coming
singer Noah Slee – a name to remember as this is a voice you will not forget. This
downbeat song is enfolded with Slee’s enthralling falsetto and Spraggon does
well to complement these expressive vocals with an undercurrent of rhythm and
almost jazzy effects. The EP’s final tracks are two remixes of Back to You.
The first from Flytones (producers from Istanbul) is an extraordinary
reimagining of the original; taking its soul and infiltrating it with an upbeat
and old-school, 80’s funk vibrancy. The Potatohead People remix stays truer to
the original but casts down the beat with a heavier strike.
On In
Spaces Spraggon keeps his production understated and paves the way for
three very strong vocalists to take charge. It’s this kind of musical direction
that has made Sola Rosa remain a staple of the industry and completely master
the elements of such an array of genres across his career. In Spaces is imbued with an aural glow of delectable soundscapes that
elevate melodies to higher ground.
Review written by Janise Kumar
Sola Rosa is one of Kiwi music’s most evolutionary and enduring acts.
With seven full-length albums, four EP's, a handful of hits, countless collaborations and numerous world tours, it’s been a 20-year labour of love for the man behind the music, Andrew Spraggon.
And although it’s punctuated with twists and turns in the form of constant change and innovation, one thing has remained the same – Spraggon’s steadfast commitment to making great albums that seamlessly blend a myriad of genres, from hip-hop and jazz, to neo-soul, latin and funk.