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Soljah: Moving Up EP

Kaipara and Auckland-based Soljah are a five-piece who have all done their time round the traps. A diet of touring and playing as session musos for the likes of King Kapisi, Savage, Nesian Mystic, Che Fu and Anika Moa have given these boys a solid ground to step out from. Now with backing from Warner NZ they bring a five-track EP with blues, funk, R&B, reggae and soul that’s all held together by a largely rock frame. Having said that, the EP kicks off with the dubbed out One Step – a highlight and a sound revisited in more of a reggae form later on. Rhythm Education features some serious soloing from lead guitarist Les Watene, who has real talent that’s often showcased on this release. Moving Up is a reggae rock number, the Stevie Wonder influenced Unite bounces along, then Burden is a rather monumental rock track to close with. Sitting somewhere between Kora and Living Colour, and visiting Ardijah, classic funk and R&B, plus the local jazz school on the way, Soljah certainly vary up their fare.

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