Isaac Aesili (Trumpet/Vocals)
Taay - David Wright (Keyboards/Synths/MPC)
USOuljah (MC)
Lisa Tomlins (Vocals)
Kurt Dyer (Percussion)
Myele Manzanza/Riki Gooch (Drums)
Simon Lusby (Guitar/Bass)
Ali Toto (Turntables)
Influences
Diggable Planets, A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, Kaidi Tatham, DJ Krush, Roni Size, Bugz in the Attik, 4Hero, DJ Shadow, Curtis Mayfield, Karriem Riggins, James Brown, Mr Scruff, Donald Byrd, DJ Spinna, Miles Davis, Earth Wind and Fire, Kool and the Gang, Courtney Pine, Tek-9, Madlib, J-Dilla, Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, The Meters, Clyde Stubblefield, Maceo Parker, Cymande, Blue Note Records, The Quantic Soul Orchestra, Bootsy Collins, Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, Roy Ayers, Jackson 5, Sun Ra, Jazzy Jeff, DJ Premier, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Mary J, Al Green, Masters at Work, Pete Rock, Dwelle, Dego, Goldie, IG Culture, The Beatles, Herbie Hancock, Al Green, Bill Evans, Nina Simone, Sa Ra Creative, PPP, Ella Fitzgerald, The Neptunes, John Coltrane, Prince, D'Angelo, Foriegn Exchange, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Ty, Fat Freddy's Drop, Trinity Roots - so many!!! and the list grows...
Sounds Like
Steps in Time (Debut Album) 2006
Steps in Time Remixes 12" (Nicolay/Recloose/Beatlicks) 2007
“With Steps in Time, Solaa have created a beautifully eclectic blend of jazz, funk, soul and hip hop that is a delight to listen to” – Out of Hand (UK, December 2006)
“If the hip hop from our Antipodean chums is this good, I’m gonna make more of an effort to hunt it down” – One Week to Live, Issue 55 (UK, January 2007)
“There’s a deep, cosmic polish that makes each number shine and segue into each other with the laid-back class I’ve come to associate with New Zealand bands these days” – iDJ, (UK, December 2006)
“‘Steps in Time’ is not only diverse, it’s deep, pretty and wholly engaging. One for the nu-soul heads” – DJ, Vol 04 No 30 (UK, January 2007)
“Solaa isn’t your typical sample and turntable driven hip hop crew, it’s a real band many of the players having come from a jazz background… its like some classic piece of 70s Herbie Hancock fusion.” Radio New Zealand (NZ, July 2006)
“It’s a sound made popular by Fat Freddies Drop and a sound that gets your head bobbing.” Rip it Up (NZ, August 2006)
"The frenetic 70s funk attack of Pharoah steps out nicely with the RnB sway of Chance, while the atmospherics are given a lift with Eyes Shut and the title-track Steps in Time. A Strong and impressive debut." Grooveguide (NZ, July 2006)
“What you get is quite simply a 53-minute masterpiece.” Jet Magazine (NZ, August 2006)
“Solaa are as adept at switching up the tempo as they are at taking things at a more leisurely pace. Highly recommended. Back to Basics” (NZ,September 2006)
Solaa formed during 1997 in the spirit of jazz improvisation. The sound they developed was a unique New Zealand fusion of electronic and organic music. Rich in instrumentation, the music of Solaa bridges Hip Hop, Breaks, Funk, Soul, R&B, and Latin Flavours.
Solaa’s diverse sound is made possible through their experience in Jazz, Latin, Classical and Electronic music. The many individuals that make up this group explore many different directions of sound fusion evident in their debut album ‘Steps in Time’ (2006). Steps in Time was followed up with a 12” featuring remixes by Nicolay and Recloose.
After 9 years of performing in New Zealand Solaa embarked on their first Australian tour in March 2006 including a performance as support for Fat Freddy’s Drop at Melbourne’s Forum theatre. Solaa have also performed alongside Mark de Clive-Lowe, Shapeshifter, Opensouls, Salmonella Dub, Che Fu and Dave Dobbyn.
No worries - love your tunes! Will you guys be in Syd next Monday by any chance? Would be keen to line up an interview with you on my radio show Back to Funk.
...*CLICK HERE FOR SOLAA ITUNES*
Online Now!
