(Way Up/Inertia)

More slyly funky and soulful grooves from across the Tasman

The man behind this outfit, Andrew Spraggon, began his musical life in some notable New Zealand guitar bands like Dimmer and Cicada, but moved into downbeat electronica a few years ago. Though the name of the third album suggests change this time around, he and his band still delve into a similarly heady mix of jazz, latin and lounge, often built around pre-rock samples as well as real-time musicians. Throw in hiphop effects like scratching, some low-slung funk, dub judders and synth washes and it’s easy-flowing music with a groove that’s solid without being pushy. But somehow the music seems to have a sharper outline this time, from the exotic lazy lounge swish of Deadman Walking and the old school jazz swing of What If? to the strutting Cuban rhythms of Way Up. Perhaps it’s the higher profile lent by guests like Spikey Tee (he’s worked with Bomb The Bass, Morcheeba and Jah Wobble), Paul St. Hellier (a collaborator with Kruder & Dorfmeister), and Taj Mahal’s daughter Deva Mahal, who has also done work with Fat Freddy’s Drop. Whatever it is, Sola Rosa’s sashaying sound is more likely to make you move, not move on. 

***½

BILL HOLDSWORTH

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