Death Jazz pioneers and hailing from Japan, Soil & “Pimp” Sessions uphold their reputation and elevate their typology in their new album, 6 with a furiously driven, and intricately combined percussion, piano and horn ensemble.

My first hearing of the album was during their recent tour stop at London’s Relentless Garage in April, which they left resonating with their exhilarating and unique soundscapes.
S & P crusader Shacho graced the stage, joining his troop of Tabu Zombie on the trumpet, Motoharu on sax, Midorin on drums, Josei on keyboard and the mellow double bassist, Akita Goldman. Fairly traditional jazz roles you might say, but their sound is anything but, and Schacho reiterated this as he walked on stage, screaming ‘this is Death Jazz,’ and death jazz it was!

If you are unfamiliar with the concept, imagine experimental jazz mixed with the high and frenzy of a Brazilian carnival in a deep, dark basement! S & P have broken the boundaries between the musician and their audience and broadened their range in their carefully curated new album with numerous collaborations, the first with DJ Kentaro in their opening track, ‘Seven‘ with the DJ production thrown in at just the right dose.

Following this is ‘Keizoku”, marking an upbeat aggression in the compilation before being thrown into the much more humorous cover of ‘Papas Got a Brand New Pigbag,’ approached on the recommendation by Gilles Peterson. This and ‘Pop Korn’, a favourite, highlights their push to encompass the audience with their music and simply have fun! It has an infectiously retro, soul-jazz vibe to it that which forces you to tap and swing.

The likes of ‘Papa…, ’ ’ Pop Korn’ and ‘Quartz and Chronometer’ will serve well to those used dancing to their sounds, but there are equally great mid-tempo tracks in the album, to ease the first time listeners. Here they have collaborated with guest vocalist Shiina Ringo in ‘My foolish hear-crazy in minds’ and with Jamie Cullum in Latin swinger, ‘Paraiso.’

6 has been long awaited since last year’s superb Planet Pimp, but the wait has been well worth it.
With S & P now signed to Brownswood Recordings, their mesmerising live sounds can also hopefully be enjoyed more frequently in the UK.

Words Anisha Jogani
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