Artiste: Soil & “Pimp” Sessions
Album: Pimp Master
Spotlight Track: Suffocation
Label: Victor Entertainment Japan
Catalog: VICL-61566
Musicians:
President aka Shacho (agitator)
Motoharu (sax)
Akita Goldman (bass)
Tabu Zombie (trumpet)
Josei (piano, key)
Midorin (drums)
I give my ultimate maximumus most tiger-upper cuttest respect to the Soil and Pimp crew for all the explosive jazz they bring. They are responsible for the term DEATH JAZZ, and like what it means it’s really DEATH JAZZZZZ!!!!
The power comes from their hi-energy live perfomances and I was lucky enough to catch them the last time they were in Singapore. Man, you have to be there to know, it’s a 360 entertaining performance and best of all, the jammimg is top-class!!! The SESSION started and it was mad, rowdy and totally IN YOUR FACE. No nonsense hard boppin’ jazz whilst maintaining this odd sense of humour. The “agitator” Shacho is the band’s iconic figure, especially when he shouts into his trademark loud-hailer gibberish and broken english, that’s show biz man! Track after track at blazing tempos, I never danced so much before to jazz!
It’s very Japanese to take something from the West and do it 10000 times better, Soil & Pimp has definitely done so with Jazz, as they’re bloody fine musicians, these boys know their shit and they are TIGHT! Think the JB’s dressed in Jap Gear. Stylish. Individually they bring innovative angles to the dynamics, for example Josei the keyboardist is like a new age Cecil Taylor/Mccoy Tyner. Hardcore!
Initiated by President Shacho and Tabu Zombie to support their DJ acts, it quickly took over the DJ aspect and grew to a 6 piece band. It’s been all good since then, with international support from Gilles Pete and Jazzanova. Pimp Master is their first album and it’s so good I don’t even know what to Spotlight. All tracks are highly dope with the exception of Gilles’ much played “A Wheel Within a Wheel” and “Waltz For Goddess”, on a personal level, I don’t dig. It was a close call between Suffocation and Mo’ Better Blues, but for all it’s worth, Suffocation came out tops for the sheer mad groove and bop-til-you-drop vibe. Check it outzzzz!
Lastly, Soil and Pimp Sessions will be playing in Java Jazz Festival 2009, the HOT-4-U boys have already booked their tix and hotel, see you there!
Tangkap This!!!
-Kenny
