Canada and the rest of the world
Pierre Chretien @ The Souljazz Orchestra
email: souljazz@hotmail.com
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Legend has it that, in the mid-sixties, James Brown's exposure to West African highlife music led him to transform his already potent brand of soul into a new music now referred to as funk. Likewise, during his 1969 trip to the United States, Fela Kuti's introduction to American funk and soul, in particular the Godfather's own music, compelled him to reshape his highlife jazz into a controversial new style he would call afrobeat.
Noticing this undeniable link, the Souljazz Orchestra thus decided to bridge the gap between the worlds of funk and afrobeat, all the while staying open to the exploration of related genres, from boogaloo to soul, from highlife to jazz. Combined with lyrics touching on politics and spirituality, the result is raw, powerful groove like you've never heard before.
Formed in 2002, the Ottawa-based band has since had the honour of sharing the stage with Femi Kuti, Dele Sosimi (of Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80), Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Etta James, Saul Williams, Alpha YaYa Diallo, and more. The multicultural, multilingual and multigender group has played hundreds of concerts across North America and Europe, from Paris to Montreal, from Brooklyn to Marseille. Now, with more international dates in the works, the Souljazz Orchestra is set to bring its earthquaking afrofunk sound to the rest of the world.
The group released its last album, Freedom No Go Die, in September of 2006. This high-energy release, featuring the vocal stylings of Rwandan/Burundian musician Mighty Popo, has created quite a stir on the international DJ scene: "firing horns, funky keyboards and polyrhythmic beats to rock dance floors" enthused Straight No Chaser, "a sound as tight as the power fists that adorn the cover" raved Exclaim. IDJ has also sung the album's praises: "A marching groove and firing horns evoke not only the spirit of a certain Mr. Anikulapo-Kuti, but also a packed shrine going nuts. Amazing stuff." The listeners of Gilles Peterson's BBC radio show actually voted the album's opening track, Mista President, as one of the top ten tracks of the year.
Not surprisingly, the album was quickly picked up by the Toronto-based Do Right! label. Despite its hectic touring schedule, the band is also currently recording a new album, set to be released in mid-2008. Needless to say, the Souljazz Orchestra will be a group to keep an eye on during the next little while...
"That's made for music, that is! Souljazz Orchestra, from Canada!" - Gilles Peterson, BBC Radio 1, UK
CDs can be purchased through CD Baby (Freedom No Go Die) and other online stores. A 7-inch vinyl of Mista President/Insurrection is available through various online stores. Individual tracks can be downloaded through iTunes (Freedom No Go Die).
Good evening Souljazz Orchestra, Many thanks for the add and your friendship. I really enjoyed your music, great sound! Greetings from France, Ahmad C.
Semaine assez remplie Tout d'abord On joue à l'Off festival de jazz de montréal cette année manquez-pas ça. Donc pour un 5 à 7pm (gratuit) lundi 16 juin au Pub St-Ciboire 1693, St-Denis Et le landemain on reprend les rennes de notre soirée les «Mardi Rétro» à 21h. L'Assommoir 112, rue Bernard Les Mardis «Électro» de L'Assommoir avec CLH. GROUNGE MUSIC DANS LE TAPIS avec Tapas on the side. AUSSI ÉCOUTEZ CLH à Fréquence Libre Chronique de Claude Rajotte Vous pouvez tous consultez l'archive sonore de la chronique de Claude Rajotte à l'émission
de Monique Giroux sur la première chaîne de Radio-Canada en date du 11 juin 2008 dans
laquelle il parle de CLH. http://www.radio-canada.ca/radio/emissions/chroniqueurs.asp?numerochro=54647&numero=1354 Au plaisir de tous vous voir à nos spectacles. Peace CLH Crew
Eric Tchaikovskiy Night Light Radio Show Sunday, May 11th, 2008, 21.00-23.00 Europa Plus (104.00 FM), Mariupol
Part I
1. Balkan Beat Box – Hermetico / JDub Records 2. J Dilla – Crushin (Yeeeeaah!) / Stones Throw 3. The Roots ft Mos Def & Styles P – Rising Down (Hum Drum) / Def Jam 4. DSL – Find Me In The World / Ed Banger 5. Guts – And The Living Is Easy (Dynamics Remix) / Wax On 6. Basement Freaks – Street Assassin (Dub Mix) / promo 7. Mop Mop – Living Beat / Infracom promo 8. Free The Robots – Session Two / Jazz & Milk 9. Mr. Confuse – Lookout Weekend (Lack of Afro Deep Funk Remix) / Légère promo 10. Romanowski – Strudel Strut / Jazz & Milk 11. Mr. Confuse – Grovin’ On The Spot (Mash & Munkee Remix) / Légère promo 12. Smokey Bandits – Cattle Drive / CDr promo 13. Jazmine Sullivan – I Need You Bad / J Records 14. Free The Robots – Jazzhole / Jazz & Milk
Part II
1. Black Zulu – Mellow Magic / Jazz & Milk 2. Vono Box – Pepita / Jazz & Milk 3. Octet – Euro vs Dollar (Pilooski Edit) / Dirty Edit 4. Benji Boko – The Jungle V.I.P. / Wax On 5. Outlines – Hold On / Sonar Kollektiv 6. Elektrons – Hurry On Down / Wall of Sound 7. Problem ft. DJ Quik, Snoop Dogg – I’m Toe / RMX 8. Rapscallion – Afropick / Wax On 9. The Souljazz Orchestra – Secousse Soukous / Do Right! 10. Aaron Jerome – Late Night Mission (feat. Yungun) / BBE 11. Jimi Tenor & Kabu Kabu – Bedroom Eyes / Ubiquity 12. Quasamodo – Dubalicious /CDr promo 13. Sound Stylistics – Homebrew / Freestyle
Night Light Radio Show playlist / April 27th, 2008 Eric Tchaikovskiy Night Light Radio Show Sunday, April 27th, 2008, 21.00-23.00 Europa Plus (104.00 FM), Mariupol
Part I
1.The Souljazz Orchestra – Little Habana 2.Shawn Lee – Happiness / Ubiquity 3.Palov & Mishkin – Merenda / Rebtuz 4.Gerardo Frisina – Calle De Candela / Schema 5.Tape Five – Taxi To Bombay / ChinChin 6.Smoove – Bossa Get Down / Wack 7.The Bahama Soul Club – Boca Chica / Bayu 8.Jamie Lidell – Out Of My System / Warp 9.Brand New Rhythm – Gettin Down / Record Kicks 10.Connie Price & The Keystones – Across The Board feat. Big Daddy Kane / Ubiquity 11.Fdel – Bring It On / Freestyle 12.50 Cent – Window Shoper – (Basement Freaks DnB Mix) / CDr 13.Bebo Best & The Superlounge Orchestra – Afinado Rmx / ChinChin 14.Bossasonic – Tout Tout Pour Ma Cherri / First Floor 15.Bossasonic – Carnival / First Floor
Part II
1.Katalyst – Over and Over (feat. Mat McHugh) / Invada 2. Up, Bustle & Out – Breaking Codes / Collision: Cause of Chapter 3.Erykah Badu – Twinkle / Motown 4.Kraak & Smaak – Sqeeze Me / Jalapeno 5.The Ironweed Project – Down To The Grave / Fat Northerner 6.Count Basic – Last Man On Earth / Universal 7.Bossasonic – Wedding Dance / First Floor 8.Kormac – Jubilee / Scribble promo 9.The Bahama Soul Club – Muchacho / Bayu 10.Jumbonics – Famished / Tru Thoughts 11.Richard E – The Call (Patchworks Remix) / Further Out 12.Shantel – Koupes / Essay 13.Deela – 7 Nights A Week / Switchstance 14. Dutch Rhythm Combo – Venom (Dr Rubberfunk Club Mix) / Pulver
Suite à la sortie toute récente de mon album, j’arrive en France pour une série de concerts. J’espère vous y croiser.
VICTOR DEME en tournée dans toute la France
MAI 2008 : 16 : Les Nuits Zébrées de Radio Nova (Paris) 17 : La Batterie à Guyancourt (78) 20 : l'Européen (Paris) JUIN 2008 : 21 : Fête de la Musique à Granville 28 : Fête d'été au Havre 29 : Fête d'été au Havre JUILLET 2008 : 03 : Festival LES NUITS COULEURS à Gignac (34) 05 : Festival des NUITS BLANCHES au Cannet des Maures (83) 11 : Festival MUSIQUES D'ETE à Cran-Gevrier (74)
18 : Festival des SUDS à ARLES (13) 25 : Festival SOIREES D'ETE à Chateau Giron (35)
27 : Festival SFINKS (Belgique) 30 : Festival ODYSSEY à Hagen (Allemagne) AOUT 2008 : 01er : Festival ODYSSEY à Mulheim (Allemagne) 02 : Festival ODYSSEY à Bochum (Allemagne) 08 : Festival ARD'AFRIQUE à Les Vans (07) 10 : Festival DU BOUT DU MONDE à Crozon (29)