JJ SOUL BAND - REACH FOR THE SKY,
2002
"The songs are well written, the musicianship is top notch and the production is
outstanding."
Clay Philips - TEA South (Toronto)
"I work in the Music Industry so I hear a lot of music. The musicianship on this album is superb and the album as a whole is something
different from the norm. Very enjoyable."
Richard Jay - www.themusicbroker.net - Author of "How To Get Your Music in Film & TV"
"Original perspective of the blues that comes with a guarantee. A CD that sits better with every listening opportunity."
Bosse Majling - Jefferson Blues Magazine (Sweden)
"Good entertainment. JJ’s vocals are nice and warm. Blues and jazz flavoured music with a swing. Well written music and lyrics.
This one will appeal to all those who like thoughtful and sophisticated music."
Arni Matthiasson - Morgunbladid (Iceland)
"Timeless tunes that are difficult to categorize, diverse arrangements, JJ Soul’s deep baritone makes the music special."
Asgeir Tomasson - Vikan, DV (Iceland)
*****
JJ SOUL BAND - CITY LIFE,
1997 - More blues/jazz-fusion but also latin flavours. The title song received 1. prize
(R&B/jazz category) in the USA Songwriting Competition
in 1997.
"Excellent piece of highly original jazz, funk, rock, fusion, blues from Iceland. Also extremely
strong lyrically it features UK singer JJ Soul. A second to nothing."
Norman McCourt [An' R Magazine, Sept. 2002]
*****
JJ SOUL BAND - HUNGRY FOR NEWS,
1994 - Music by ITK and JJ Soul.
English lyrics by vocalist-extraordinaire, JJ Soul, said to be remindful
of Tom Waits, Ray Charles and Joe Cocker.
Some of Iceland's finest musicians play in the band. Blues fused with light jazz and rock.
"12 earlier works from this highly unique and original Icelandic group. Some exceptional songs including
Dark Eyes and also the title track."
Norman McCourt [An' R Magazine, Sept. 2002]
*****
"From Iceland comes J.J. Soul Band, which delivers an exciting mixture of Jazz, Soul
and Blues. Oxfordian singer J.J. Soul who founded the band in 1993 began his musical career
as a drummer in English jazz bands and later as a singer in night clubs and cabarets. Except for one
song (My Funny Valentine) all songs are original compositions co-written by keyboardist Ingvi Thor
Kormaksson, who began his career in dance bands. The title song has already received first prize in the
USA Songwriting Competition in R & B/Jazz category
and shines brilliantly amongst other interesting compositions with its open song structures, a quantity
of illusions of musical-stylistic plates, groovy Soul numbers, interrupted by a Waltz with Slide-Guitar
and Accordion, a Latin number "All the time in the World", or the Jazz-fusion song "Same Day Service".
Only the song "Waiting Tables" is lacking by somewhat unmotivated and inconsequential architecture.
Over everything floats and successfully cuts through the husky voice of J.J. Soul, which resembles very
much the "rusty" singing of Tom Waits. Also the guitarist Edvard Larusson is noticeable by his sovereign
playing technique and "song serving" guitar solos. It's a fun CD to listen to, with its altogether no set
musical direction that fits the category. Not without reason, the band has classified their music as
"Blues (con!)fusion".
The overall sound quality is outstanding and although some of the songs are probably too smooth-arranged
for a large market, I can strongly recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys a broad spectrum of music."
Ralf Weber
[www.RETROSPEC.de, 2000]
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