Solko
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Solko

Norwich, England, United Kingdom | SELF

Norwich, England, United Kingdom | SELF
Band Alternative Reggae

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

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"FIX THIS FIRE EP"

Hailing from the depths of Suffolk, it would be unfair to brand Solko as the new Artic Monkeys. They’re not, yet they do share an affection for a similar pop brew. This quintet however put on an venerable display of indie guitar pop, pumped up by a saxophone and lashes of live dub influenced bass and drum beats. “December” works the best, the tempo stirring the ever flustered excitement into moments of ska / reggae spiked fun. If anyone starts to bandy around the terms soul / jazz, ignore them. Ok they may actually explore the delights of stax soul (and to great effect), but the jazz is minimal and instead we should wander into the musical reference library looking for the shelf marked “eclectic”. Solko are refreshingly different, enjoying a collision of their more traditional and less contemporary fusions, with a bag of tunes that are emotive, carefree and just downright interesting. - Jon Ashley


"Solko - Fix This Fire EP"

Solko – Fix This Fire EP
5/5

I have to admit that I have more than a little bit of a soft spot for Solko. Having seen them live countless times over the summer months, I can say for sure that they are one of the most exciting acts in the UK right now. On Sept 12th, they release the long awaited Fix This Fire EP via All Sorted Records.

To be brutally honest, the recorded tracks can never do justice to the enigma that is Solko live. What you do get is four of the band’s best compositions. ‘December’, the opening track. is perhaps the one that is closest to the band’s skanking dancehall style in the live arena. The whole EP has a really easy feel to it, and I would well imagine it could be a remixers dream, especially the loosely-structured ‘Thanks A Lot’.

There is more than one string on the bow of Solko though, and ‘Weatherman’ manages to transcend genres with ease, slipping seamlessly between an acid-jazz groove and a chilled indie vibe. EP closer ‘Weekend Blues’ is a work of genius, and in my top 5 tracks of 2011. Where do I start with this track? It is six of the best minutes of late night bar jazz-blues I have heard in a long while. The depth and musical maturity on this track displays musical know-how beyond the band’s tender years. I hope one day they get the chance to play it somewhere like Ronnie Scotts – it’s that good! I cant praise this EP highly enough, and it’s without a doubt my new release of the month. - Mark Thorpe


Discography

Solko - Fix This Fire (EP)
Release Date: 09/12/2011

Solko - Love And Blood
Release: 12/03/2012

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Bio

Solko are a seven piece fusion dub/rock band from Suffolk. Winning over the hearts and wearing out the shoes of people all around the UK through their phenomenal live energy and powerful groove-driven writing.

2012 saw the band be invited to Abbey Road Studios by the BBC, play an array of festivals, notch up radio plays on various stations including BBC 6 Music, release new EP 'Love and Blood' and independently tour for three weeks around the UK.

2013 is running in the same vein and Solko are already planning the next tour for Spring as well as some tasty gigs with heavyweights Resonators, The Drop and Smerins Anti-Social Club lined up.