RECENT REVIEWS FOR SOUNDOCTRINE MUSIC:
Soul Tracks.com
Soundoctrine - Source
Those who are not aware of Soundoctrine’s background can be forgiven not knowing this Ohio based outfit performs with Christ at the center and the source of all they do. I don’t know if it would be accurate to call them a Christian band – although I doubt that the members would have a problem with that description. Clearly, the group had their spiritual profession in mind when they titled their latest album Source.
If there is any lingering confusion about where Soundoctrine falls in relation to other instrumental acts whose work is informed by their faith, it may be due to the fact that Soundoctrine has been an instrumental group for the better part of a decade after starting out as a band that – Incognito style – employed a revolving roster of vocalists including the likes of Marlon Saunders and Nadir. Also, most of their instrumental output consists of originals (there aren’t any instrumental versions of gospel standards such as is typically found on albums by artists such as Kirk Whalum and Ben Tankard), though they might occasionally cover a classic R&B tune such as Rufus and Chaka’s “Stop On By,” which appears on Source.
What becomes clear throughout Source is the quality of the players — both as soloists and as a group — as well as the very good songwriting. Chris “Thumbper” Rhodes displays with his thunderous, rolling bass solo, a dexterity and creativity that will remind many of Stanley Clarke on the mellow “Reconciliation.” The synthy “Absolute Truth” has a spacey quality as the keyboards provide the atmosphere for some energetic horn work and a very funky bass line.
Of course, giving tunes titles such as “Ancient of Days,” “Maranatha,” and “Selah,” Soundoctrine aims to put listeners in a spiritual state of mind even if most of the tracks are instrumentals, while vocal cuts such as the aforementioned “Selah” and the title track make the band’s profession clear. “Source” begins with its sparse arrangement that grows gradually, and the track has the feel of a spiritual lullaby, while Michela Write’s whispered vocals serve as a testament that God is the source our being. The percussive “Selah” has a far eastern arrangement, allowing the rhythm section to provide a deep groove foundation for an expansive flute solo. Meanwhile, the lyrics tell a story of God’s unchanging nature.
In a way it makes sense that Soundoctrine would title one of their tunes “Selah,” because the meaning of that word is uncertain. Selah appears a total of 74 times in the Bible, with 71 of those appearances coming in the book of Psalms, which was a hymnal to the Israelites. One interpretation of the word is that it means “to pause,” so the instrumentalists and singers would stop performing to take a breath or lift their hands in praise whenever they saw it. And those trying to figure out how to classify this talented group may be wiser to simply pause, listen and enjoy a band that defies categorization even as it proudly raises the banner of Christ.
Solidly Recommended
By Howard Dukes
- See more at: http://www.soultracks.com/album-review-soundoctrine-source#sthash.yWAyi5JY.dpuf
“Inspire is a project that deserves to be talked about and
pushed to the forefront. A project that graciously gifts the
listener with the full force of Jere B's heart and soul and with
the immense talent of the musicians, vocalists, and producers
poured into every track.”
-Mary Crosby, Detroit Gospel.com ��" Featured Album January
"Billed as Funkjazzfusion, this album represents a number of
talented artists who collaborate on a set of quality soul tunes,
jazzy instrumentals and contemporary - yet not crass - R&B
efforts. This is real quality modern soul. A must-have release
and no better to end 2010."
- Barry Towler, Soulchoonz Y2k Album Reviews (Dec 16,
2010)
"SounDoctrine - The intricate way they infuse a mix of sounds
including pure jazz, pure funk and even electronic creates a
truly exceptional sound that is destined to head to the
forefront of new contemporary jazz. The flow, the mix and the
rhythms are spot on. They are one of a kind. I truly love this
music. "
- Mary Ann Wexler - Managing Director, U S Smooth Jazz
(Nov 18, 2010)
"SounDoctrine releases their third studio project, "Inspire,"
which covers some exceptionally brilliant Jazz/Funk music.
This CD also features a cast of highly talented artists that
collectively interweave their talents with rootsy and melodic
tonality. These songs incorporate fantastic progressive
modern touches as some of the meters are not in typical time
signatures. You will find the Jazz/Funk songs on the
outstanding album, "Inspire," to not only original and
innovating, but a superb collection of music."
- -Diane and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team,
RadioIndy.com (Nov 10, 2010)
“SounDoctrine blends smoothed out, but emotionally resonant
soul, fusiony funk instrumentals, headnodding beatcraft and
jazzy soul arrangements. They cast a wide net, but that's
what's makes the group special ��" it all flows cohesively.
Playful, poignant, unpredictable and positive.”
Dusty Grooves America (Nov 08, 2010)
"This is another strong record for SounDoctrine ��" it branches
off in some interesting directions but stays true to the
message the band set off to deliver with their first CD and the
many live appearances they did in order to spread the word...If
you’re not hip to Originalalternativejazzfunkfusion ��" get hip! "
- Chris Mann, Chris Diggin Deeper (Oct 31, 2010) ��" “Marriage”
��" Pick of the Week Nov 1
"This new album by Soundoctrine, "Inspire", lives up to its
name, and then some. If you listen to this and do not come
away feeling like you've had some kind of out-of-body
experience, you should put the CD back in, press "play", and
make sure your speakers are turned up this time. Listen
again."
- John Marcus, Smooth Soul Online (Nov 02, 2010) Featured
Album of the Month Nov 2010
“Synergy1Radio - Stellar Award nominated station for "Internet
Station of the Year" Selected "Marriage" from the new CD
"Inspired" from the Ohio based SoundDoctrine which proved to
be a winner within 48hrs our listeners gave the song a 5 star
ration. It's a smooth jazz track that is soothing and relaxing
and has been added to the Gospel Jazz Experience and The
Gospel Quiet Storm.
- Andre L. Carter, Synergy 1 Radio (Nov 01, 2010)
"SounDoctrine will quench your thirst for music and love on
the surprisingly beautiful album "Inspire"... You will
immediately notice that you are dealing with great musicians
as soon as you hear the first notes.
- Richard de Jong, SaveOurSoul.com (Nov 02, 2010)
"Soundoctrine is part of a trend in gospel/inspirational music
in which artists expand the boundaries of what it means to
make Christian-based songs. They've been at it for nearly a
decade, and have developed into leaders in this movement.
Soundoctrine may not yet be as well known as other artists,
but their unique brand of inspirational jazz, funk and fusion
displayed on Inspire certainly shows that they should be. It is
another critical success for a band that just seems to get
better and better. Recommended "
- Howard Dukes, SoulTracks (Oct 31, 2010)
"SounDoctrine is a rarity in Jazz music these days. They are
hell bent on breaking away from the rest of the pack. Take
their latest release INSPIRE and play it for your friends who
say they don't like Jazz and they will like it. Play it for your
friends who do like Jazz and they will think that it fell off of the
CTI shelf. It's yet another one of the places that Jazz will be
going in the future, when Jazz is no longer "smooth."
- Bob Davis, Soul-Patrol.com/RadioIO.com (Oct 28, 2010)
"Soundoctrine's "Inspire" is a music staple of our radio shows.
With amazing musicianship, the band blends funk, jazz, rock,
and gospel into its definitive sound. We have known this band
for many years and each release brings excitement to us.
Thanks to Jere B and the Soundoctrine family."
- Joe Kelley, - "Upper Room with Joe Kelley and Gi Dussault"
(Oct 25, 2010)
"Inspire" is a wonderful recording that has very positive
messages for all of us. We ALL need INSPIRATION to carry
us through. Just think.”
- Kevin Amos, "One To One", WRCT-FM Pittsburgh (Oct 25,
2010)
Show less