Soul II Soul’s new record Origins is truly a sight to behold and one that would make an eye-catching addition to your collection. Andy Jones reports…
METROPOLIS RECORDINGS
This boxset consists of two heavyweight vinyl albums and a USB stick packed with extra sleeve notes and exclusive video content, all housed in a wood-effect slipcase that really is something to behold. Origins is a must-purchase for any fan of Jazzie B and co, and the packaging’s so good that it could’ve putthe music in the shade. But thankfully the tunes are as slick and satisfying as you’d expect…
The 11 tracks herein are ‘live in the studio’, recorded over the course of a weekend in 2015, at London’s Metropolis Studios, in front of just 120 fans. The sessions were one of a growing number of similar events at the studio – where, incidentally, they have the facilities to record artists direct to vinyl. There’s a richness and excellence to the recording which brings a beautifully rounded vibe to Soul II Soul’s always laid back and funky sound, and it’s eminently suited to the vinyl format.
Keep On Moving and Back To Life are the obvious highlights and, inevitably, some tracks feel a little in the latter’s shadow, but it’s an excellent recording and a very collectable package that’s a timeless record of a uniquely intimate Soul II Soul performance.
