Andrew Spraggon, the mastermind behind Sola Rosa, has long had a reputation for collaborations with other artists, producers and session musicians and this revolving door policy has been blown off its hinges this time. Guests are everywhere, giving each track a new turn of phrase and new vernacular to its accompanying instrumental backing. Sometimes smooth new soul, sometimes twinkling downbeat. The list of guest vocalists runs 11-deep to match the tracks. This alone makes for an interesting run, each tune true to itself and the next a surprising departure from the last. The two stand out tracks are Can We Get It Together featuring Noah Slee, and Get Your Move Gone featuring Sharlene Hector. The former is like a blast of Bruno Mars done with twinned vocals, twice the sincerity and a rubberised rhythm section, the latter a battering beat with vocal that reminds me of Neneh Cherry.
The production is quality, a mix of beats and melody blurring funk, pop, downbeat and, deep in its heart, soul. Adding some serious clout there is a track led by Kevin Mark Trail of The Streets. Diversity seems to be the order here; no two tracks are even in the same sphere from a vocal perspective. When you undertake an album so complex in its execution, so big on co-stars, it could easily get out of hand, but in this case you have an album of tight performances, some pared back and others more verbose. It proves a pleasing easy going mix that will be powering many summer time good times to come.
