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Sola Rosa - Single review: Leave a Light On

03 May 2018 // A review by darryl baser

The man behind Sola Rosa, Auckland's Andrew Spraggon, has returned with a tune as strong as anything he's released previously.

A steady bass groove wends its way around a thumping kick drum which is off-set by an excellently syncopated high hat, perfectly timed between kick and snare, to be on the 'and' of the phrase.

The bass keyboard is on the ‘one’ beat and high keys are on the three, adding to layers of syncopation.

This groove is so fat it could make a sumo look like the skinny kid in class.

Sola Rosa has been a mostly solo project for Andrew Spraggon since 1999, and on this tune he’s partying like it is Sola Rosa’s inception year.

Kevin Mark Trail, of UK band The Streets, adds a high soul tenor which soars over the sequences as the lead vocals, and which is beautifully accompanied be Kiwi powerhouse singer, LA Mitchell.

Best known for making seriously funky electronic music, Andrew Spraggon has been refining the Sola Rosa sound for two decades. Leave a Light On was recorded in Spraggon’s well kitted out home studio and is the first single from the forthcoming release called In Spaces.

Guitars include a beautifully fuzzed out lead melody and are provided by Matt Short and Dixon Nacey.

★★★★ (4 stars)


Review written by Darryl Baser

 

About Sola Rosa

Sola Rosa is one of Kiwi music’s most evolutionary and enduring acts.

With seven full-length albums, four EP's, a handful of hits, countless collaborations and numerous world tours, it’s been a 20-year labour of love for the man behind the music, Andrew Spraggon.

And although it’s punctuated with twists and turns in the form of constant change and innovation, one thing has remained the same – Spraggon’s steadfast commitment to making great albums that seamlessly blend a myriad of genres, from hip-hop and jazz, to neo-soul, latin and funk.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Sola Rosa

Releases

Chasing The Sun
Year: 2020
Type: Album
In Spaces
Year: 2018
Type: EP
Magnetics
Year: 2014
Type: Album
Solarized (Refreshed)
Year: 2013
Type: Album
Low And Behold, High And Beyond
Year: 2012
Type: Album
Get It Together - The Remixes
Year: 2010
Type: Album
Get It Together
Year: 2009
Type: Album
Moves On
Year: 2005
Type: Album
Haunted Out Takes
Year: 2003
Type: Album
The Ready Now EP
Year: 2003
Type: EP
Solarized
Year: 2001
Type: Album
Entrance To Skyway
Year: 2001
Type: EP

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