THE SOUL SURFERS Vinilo y CD

Review: The title 'Maze Of Sounds' is revealing enough; together in 2020, Janko Nilovic and The Soul Surfers built a musical labyrinth, with the Russian bandleader's instrument of choice (the keyboard) intended as a spiritual guide for navigation through what would otherwise be a rather difficult and surreal tribulation. A contemporary instrumental soul and funk album for those who like to set the scene with a glass of sherry and a dash of mystique, the cuts here - from 'Sweet Path' to 'It Never Ends' - are cinematic tools for relaxation, contemplation, and of-course, guidance.

Review: Fans of library music may have heard of Janko Nilovic, a veteran composer whose jazz, funk, soul and easy listening-inspired works of the sixties and seventies have been extensively sampled by hip-hop producers including Dr Dre. Now 80, last year he joined forces with Russian funk combo The Soul Surfers to record this surprise album. He still appears to have something of a Midas touch, because Maze of Sounds really is rather good. Starting with the heady breeze of 'Prelude', the set sees the Soul Surfers delivering impeccable instrumental cuts that variously draw influence from Hammond-laden downtempo grooves, string-laden easy listening soul, stripped-back down-low funk, sun-kissed Sunday afternoon jazz-funk and the deep back catalogue of Bob James.

Review: The Soul Surfers share their debut 7" on Broc Recordz, following a promising entree working with various raw funk and soul greats, including with Jack Nilovic on his 'Maze of Sounds' compilation, not to mention appearing on the first volume of the recent Two Tales For The Mind V/A. 'High Roller' and its counterpart 'Big Slick' are two large, roomy, instrumental sonic gateau slices, on which an outsized four-string occupies the front and centre of both mixes, to megalomaniac, almost gluttonous effect. All else follows naturally; plucks, snares and FX licks resound, as we're left to contemplate the ingenious front cover by Italian artist Riccardo Bettazzoni.

Review: Montenegrin-French composer, arranger, conductor, keyboardist, percussionist, vocalist and producer (nuff skills!) Janko Nilovic & The Soul Surfers have already turned our ears this year with a super 7" on Funk Night. Now they're back with another limited bit of 45rpm heat on Broc. Noth sides of this one makes for impossibly funky listening, with skilled instrumental solos getting deep under your skin and making you move. They are packed with charm and mark another noteworthy outing for this outfit.