Sol Nation
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | MAJOR
Music
Press
If there’s one thing Cat Empire proved, it’s that there is an audience for big, brassy party bands in Australia. The latest band to pick up on this cue is Melbourne’s Sol Nation. The septet’s debut EP brings together an eclectic yet competent mix of reggae, calypso, hip-hop, salsa and African dance music for a joyous and celebratory whole.
The EP’s opener Good Times is a good ol’ backbeat Jamaican reggae number and that ‘choppier than a butchers sideburns’ hook will have even the most jaded music geek tapping their foot in appreciation.
Forca, another standout, exudes calypso charm and would go perfect with a couple of lively Mojitos on a Sunday afternoon. Hey Mister, for my money, is the best on the EP; a kind of Latin-mambo keyboard extravaganza that both Tito Puente AND Herb Alpert would be proud of.
The band are let down somewhat by the production however, with the deep groove of the bass, so essential in this type of music often lost under various upstrokes and keyboard riffs. The energy and passion, that I’m sure comes across tenfold on stage, is still there though making this a solid debut EP, Sol Nation definitely come across as more of a live act than a recording band.
Listening to the EP, this reviewer could just imagine Sol Nation pumping out an energetic, cool set at the Byron Bay Beach Hotel on a Sunday arvo. That said, this debut EP is still a pretty solid release that is sure to get more than a few heads nodding and feet tapping.
- Stephen Bisset
Sol Nation
User Rating: / 4
Bruno's Reviews
Written by Bruno de Paiva
Thursday, 13 August 2009 11:13
I love writing and I love music. I’ll tell you one thing I don’t love though, dancing. I can’t do it and I can’t stand it, but with Sol Nation I can’t help but to get up and jump around in sync with the beats.
A harmonious combination of Reggae and Latin style music, Sol Nation epitomises one of those typical mood uplifting summer albums, one of those you put on the speakers when you have a good group of friends over on a balmy weekend evening.
The songs on the albums bare quite a similarity to each other, but there are only five songs, so it doesn’t get boring nor does it get repetitive. One will be quick to notice that English is not the only language to be used on the album, Portuguese is also widely used.
While obviously it would be good for the non-Porko speakers to be able to understand what’s being said, trust me it’s not really all that necessary. The language barrier does not stop you from getting on your feet, letting yourself go with the overwhelmingly positive vibes and having some good times as a result of Sol Nation.
- Global Thunda Network
Discography
Self titled EP out now thru MGM (Planet company).
Tracks getting airplay on JJJ,PBS,RRR,SBS,ABC.
ABC(Radio Australia/In the Loop) 'Album of the week' on 16/6/09. New single 'Every reason' out now thru MGM (Planet company) on iTunes together with B side release 'Solution'.
Photos
Bio
SOL NATION is more than a band, it’s a meeting of nations and cultures - East Timorese, Indigenous and Australian. Sol Nation embodies Melbourne’s multiculturalism and is a living testament to what can be achieved through music - bridging cultures, languages and borders.
East Timorese vocalist Paulo Almeida is the voice of Sol Nation, soaring and weaving through the music in a mixture of languages, a product of his life experience living in several different countries during his homeland’s occupation by Indonesia. Languages include English, Portuguese and his mother tongue Tetum. Paulo is supported by the very gifted Indigenous songstress Deline Briscoe, whose rich voice and deep musicality magnify the stories and messages told through Sol Nation’s music.
To perform their music live, Sol Nation have brought together a seven piece mixing superb musicianship with a charismatic stage presence that creates an exuberant, colourful and exciting live show. Stylistically the music draws its influences from Indigenous and Jamaican reggae, traditional East Timorese folksong, and African dance music. The band has used music to highlight the problems faced by the people of East Timor, and to push for International justice on their behalf. With a strong global conscience and a commitment to presenting high energy and infectious music to audiences around the world, Sol Nation is a unique Australian musical experience.
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