
Salon Kingsadore : Hotel Azteca
By Simon Sweetman
Salon Kingsadore are an instrumental combo that formed six years ago specifically to write music for a stage play. The Auckland group is inspired by surf-guitar, European film soundtracks and psychedelic rock. And indeed one can hear John Zorn's Masada work, The Bambi Molesters and traces of Morricone - at times all in the one track! In 2004 they released a self-titled debut making 'Hotel Azteca' the band's sophomore album. Organ sits alongside guitar - as it does in R'n'B combos like Booker T & The MGs; loping basslines and jazz-influenced drums lead these tunes through rock and soul, mixing improvisation with structured parts. It is wonderful background music, yet far-transcending any standard cocktail jazz. Salon Kingsadore are so much about the sum of the parts; working together like the proverbial well-oiled machine.
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