No. 5
Self-Released, 2021
9/10
A singer-songwriter and guitarist, Solomon King doesn’t confine himself to any single genre, as he brings a nostalgic brand of grit to his Detroit roots on this fusion album.
“Drinking This Whiskey” opens the affair with a slow burning blues tune where the guitar, drums and vocals are textured amid a darker spirit, and “Sunset And Mars” follows with a quicker pace of retro-funk ideas that are stylish, memorable and highly melodic in a Lou Reed sort of way.
Landing in the middle, “City Of Angels” brings a beat poet type of playfulness to the frisky and even dance influenced landscape, while “Ashes & Dust” displays bouncy bass lines alongside the rhythmic, almost hypnotic delivery. “Motor City”, the album’s best, then charges with warm and soulful rock that thumps with crisp drumming and bright brass.
“If I Fall” arrives near the end and might be the most firm song present, where punchy garage rock flows from the soaring guitars, and “Xena’s Blues” exits with piano focused and R&B flavored songwriting that emits much skill in an iconoclastic sort of way.
Probably most closely related to the blues, there’s little doubt that Solomon has lived through some hard times, and he’s parlayed those experiences into this highly interesting and very creative listening experience.
Travels well with: William Hooker- Mindfulness; Johnny Adams- Heart & Soul