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Sola Rosa: Solarized

Sola Rosa is Andrew Spraggon (previously lead guitarist and vocalist with Auckland guitar band Cicada) and 'Solarized' is his debut album on Festival Records. 'Solarized' has a very distinctive sound that consists of live instruments such as double bass, vibraphone, violins, violas, drums, percussion, electric guitars and basses in addition to organic-sounding sampled vinyl. It's a combination that may sound strange but when interpreted through the ever-present Latin and lounge themes produces a unique and enjoyable sound. The stand out tracks are King of Hush - funky lounge and jazz flavors interspersed with old vocal samples - the end result makes you want to dance like it was the '50s. Mal Mono is equally beautiful, this time more dubby than loungy - it takes the user through a valley of ambient sounds and soaring lead lines. Dual 35 features some interesting vinyl loops fused with stock-style Sola Rosa drums and funk-laced leads and basslines. The album ends on a warm note with the brooding double-basslines of Twilight Baby. The album is superbly arranged; all tracks display attention to detail that clearly marks the Sola Rosa style. Production is absolutely top-notch. Sola Rosa's duties included arrangement, production and recording - mixing was performed by Dale Cotton (sound engineer with HDU). Mastering duties are courtesy of Angus McNaughton and, as expected, are simply superb. One of the best-produced local albums I've heard this year. The lounge and jazz influences in the album are simply gorgeous and I will be listening to them for a while to come.

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