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Artist - Sonar Kollektiv Orchester One of the best labels on the planet brings us the sublime
genius that is the Sonar Kollektiv Orchester. An LP full of beautifully
arranged orchestral remixes that stay true to the originals, making these new
versions easily recognisable... If you are into
Christian Prommers Drummlesson you're going to love this soulful LP! A full sound like Matthew Herberts Big Band, stunning
strings that soar like a bird and make your hair stand on end, awesome
arrangements that take your breath away, tight and punchy drums and a top horn
section make this gorgeous, funky, and soulful throughout. The version of
Ame is jawdropping but it is impossible to pick just one standout track. The LP
flows like a live set and contains everything I love about music. The Big Chill need to book these and have them play just as
the sun drops below the hills... it would be magical. If the chance comes
up to see these lot live, i'm there! Press Release... Last year, Sonar Kollektiv reached the grand old age of 10
years old – an incredible achievement for an independent label. To celebrate
this milestone, they’ve formed the Sonar Kollektiv Orchester - a super-group
made up of 15 label artists and friends. Led by the extremely capable Volker Meitz, and consisting of 3 vocalists, 4 strings, 3 horns and a full rhythm
section, the SKO is a collaborative tour de force. Volker himself is no stranger
to the Sonar Kollektiv stable, having worked with Jazzanova, Clara Hill, as well
as other respected artists such as Pat Appleton, Phonique, and Patrick Majer. A
talented musician, he provides the arrangements you hear on the record, and
plays keyboards in the live set-up. Rating - 10/10
Title - Guaranteed Niceness LP
Label - Sonar Kollektiv
Released - 26.05.08
Posted 01.04.08
Six of today’s finest singers make up the bands core vocal presence: Esther Cowens,
Wilson Michaels, Georg Levin, Lisa Bassenge, Sascha Gottschalk and
Clara
Hill. Esther Cowens is already known for her own project Greenissimo, and has
also sung for Sam Ragga Band and Jan Delay. Clara Hill needs little
introduction: an essential member of the SK family, she released the album
Folkwaves on the label last year to critical acclaim. Georg Levin has released a
solo album on Sonar Kollektiv, as well as a brand new album as Wahoo (with
Dixon) on Four Music. Sascha Gottschalk is the singer and songwriter of
Thief
(together with Jazzanova’s Stefan Leisering an Axel Reinemer). Lisa Bassenge was
front woman for the Lisa Bassenge Trio and is part of Nylon and Micatone.
Caroline Siegers and Anja-Susann Hammer from the string section have both played
on the aforementioned Clara Hill’s
Folkwaves album, while their colleague
Sibylle Strobel has played violin for the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,
Grönemeyer, No Angels, Ronan Keating and Virginia Jetzt!
The SKO also boasts a full brass section thanks to Nikolaus Neuser, Dirk Steglich and
Petra Krumphuber. Guitars are supplied by Kalle Kalima, who has
played for Jimi Tenor as well as Jazzanova, Georg Levin and Thief, with
Paul Kleber from Sonar Kollektiv. Micatone takes care of the bass grooves.
Last but by no means least, Rainer Winch and Philipp Kullen complete the rhythm
section on drums and percussion respectively. All in all it’s a star studded
line-up of some of the most highly skilled musicians around, resulting in an
incredibly polished sound.
The album more than lives up to expectations, and such a creative new
collaborative project is sure to be a must have for fans of the label, as well
as being a great introduction for newcomers. Far from being just another “best
of” or retrospective, 'Guaranteed Niceness' celebrates the wealth of great music
within the Sonar Kollektiv back catalogue while reworking them in the context of
an orchestra.
Tracklisting
1. L.O.V.E. And You & I (Jazzanova)
2. Held Him First (Deyampert)
3. Ain’t no Dream (No Use Introduction) (Jazzanova / Meitz)
4. No Use / Another New Day (Jazzanova)
5. Rej (Âme)
6. (I Got) Somebody New (Georg Levin)
7. Midnight Marauders (Joe Dukie & DJ Fitchie)
8. Run / Fedimes Flight (Micatone / Jazzanova)
9. Silent Distance (Clara Hill)
10. Atlantic (Thief)
11. Boom Clicky Boom Klack (Jazzanova)
12. Africa (Meitz)
13. How To Find Royal Jelly (Lost Scrolls Of Hamaric)
Reviewer - PT
