Album review: THE SOUL REBELS – Poetry In Motion

November 2nd, 2019 by jason

Rebelution Music Group [Release date 25.10.19]

From the opening of notes of ‘Blow the Horns’ The Soul Rebels exude swagger and confidence, promising to “shake the world up like an earthquake”. ‘Poetry in Motion’ marks the first release in seven years for the New Orleans brass ensemble and finds them fusing jazzy horn lines with Hip-Hop verses and beats.

As is appropriate for a Hip-Hop record, the opening trilogy of tracks serves as a manifesto – outlining where the group is from (“from a city where the music is sacred”) and lofty statements about their musical prowess (“we about to take it to another level now”).

Fortunately The Soul Rebels live up to their boasts, with production that juxtaposes Timbaland-style drum programming against organic brass. ‘Down For My City’ is a touching yet fun tribute to the Big Easy, with famous local musicians such as Kermit Ruffins and Trombone Shorty popping in for cameos. There is also a children’s choir on the chorus, a cutesy touch which shouldn’t work, yet somehow endears the song further.

Strikingly for a group of musicians this talented, The Soul Rebels are quite content to let others play in their sandbox and the album features an enviable roster of excellently curated guest stars. Maroon 5 keyboardist, PJ Morton joins the group on sexy R&B number, ‘Slide Back’, providing silky vocals and sultry Rhodes playing. Similarly ‘Good Time’ is a party song that features guest vocals from Big Freedia and Denisa.

‘Respected Destroyer’ is a back to basics number, in that it is an instrumental from the core band – albeit with an appearance from the legendary Branford Marsalis! Jamison Ross’ drumming pulls everything together, as different musicians step up to the plate to riff. Brandee Younger’s harp adds a dreamy quality, while the repetitive horn lines create trippy imagery. An important track that shows The Soul Rebels don’t need the bells and whistles.

The closing sequence ‘Blush (Poetry in Motion)’ features production from legendary producer Robert Glasper, who has worked with everyone from Kendrick Lamar to Joni Mitchell. Warm horn lines interweave with old school Rhodes keyboard and stacked vocal harmonies to seductive perfection. ‘Poetry In Motion’ is just that, an album by skilled musicians that are so damn good at doing what they do. ****

Review by Phillip Beamon

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)