After the success of Get It Together and its accompanying remix album, Sola Rosa are ready to release their fifth studio album – another record jammed full of thick bass lines, deft musicianship and tight production.
Written over the past three New Zealand summers and drawing together a host of familiar names, plus fresh faces to boot, Sola Rosa’s new album Low and Behold, High and Beyond is a sonic tonic for anyone interested in where hip hop beats, nu-soul and funk converge.
Moving away from some of the Latin and reggae influences which have been a trademark of earlier albums, Andrew Spraggon has navigated his all-star cast in a slightly new direction; producing an album underpinned by his appreciation of classic hip hop and indulging his interest in nu-soul.
Low and Behold, High and Beyond features a wealth of vocal talent, including long-time UK collaborator Spikey Tee, who has worked with the likes of Roots Manuva, Jah Wobble and Morcheeba to name a few; US/UK singer Olivier Daysoul, who is a frequent collaborator with Hudson Mohawke, Oddisee and Onra; L.A. Mitchell, regular vocalist for Isaac Aesili and Fly My Pretties; and fellow New Zealander and Harbour City Electric singer, Ned Worboys.
The album was mixed by Yaron Fuchs, whose expertise behind the boards has seen him work with artists such as Talib Kweili, Public Enemy and Kings of Leon, while mastering was done by Ricardo Gutierrez (Justin Timberlake, Just Blaze).
Songs from the album have already been receiving support from the likes of Jeremy Sole and Anthony Valadez on influential L.A. radio station KCRW, and new material played out during Sola Rosa’s North American tour in July has been met with a rapturous reception from crowds.
Low and Behold, High and Beyond is another brilliant musical exploration from Spraggon. It proves that despite over a decade producing music, Sola Rosa is still making tunes as fresh and compelling as ever.