Since their eponymous CD release in 2004, Sebastopol's Sol Horizon has blossomed, becoming one of the most popular and forward thinking bands of it's genre. The release of their latest CD, "First Light" and recent tours of California and Hawaii, as well as collaborations with England's rising reggae star, Pato Banton, should erase any doubt as to their authenticity and musical sincerity. Led by vocalist Michael Litwin, and his "party revolution" group, Sol Horizon are ably driven by lead guitarist Clayton Hunt, percussionist Peter van Gorder, and rounded out with bassist Frank Preuss, drummer Colin Menzies, rhythm guitarist Alexei Brown and keyboardist Jeremy Cooper. Sol Horizon continues to write and perform only their original music, a feat very few reggae groups would even attempt. No Bob Marley covers, no Peter Tosh, no Steel Pulse, no Melody Makers, just Sol Horizon! Their "conscious lyrics" and continued involvement in the sustainable living community by promoting global awareness and environmental issues, makes Sol Horizon a unique blend of fantastic music and planetary activism.Sol Horizon continues to promote that movement, a movement borne of the "conscious struggle" of us all to save the planet, and in their case, via their music. Sol Horizon's green philosophy is clearly embodied in both Litwin's lyrics and Sol Horizon's music. Litwin's passionate and energetic singing, helps to convey that message, add the incendiary Hunt's guitar work, van Gorder and Menzie's grooves, and the textures of Brown, Preuss and Cooper providing the beautiful world sound-scapes, you begin to get an idea of what Sol Horizon is all about.
Their song "System", has the all the classic reggae flavor one comes to expect from a Sol Horizon song, and Hunt's guitar work is both subtle and supportive. Percussionist van Gorder's intro on "Ill Suffering", and his work with drummer Menzies on the "Naturalist" continue their infectious grooves and syncopated stops and to starts to great effect. "Hemp Revolution" has an almost Grateful Dead meets Bob Marley feel to it, I had to open my eyes at one point to see where I was. "Easy Road" is one of the best tunes in this effort. Hunt's guitar and Litwin's voice are well matched here, and I couldn't help think of Marley's "No Woman, No Cry" when I first heard it.
Pato Banton's influence on Sol Horizon has been both positive and mutually beneficial. In Sol Horizon, Banton has found a superb backing group in the U.S., and a supportive voice in teaming with Litwin. For Sol Horizon, access to an even wider audience, more credibility, and a maturing sound that keeps getting better are just the thing this group from Sebastopol needed. Just as jazz is no longer the sole province of the Americans, (having given way to many of their European counterparts), so too has reggae become an international musical movement. In the United States, reggae festivals in places as diverse as Burlington, Vermont and Northern California can boast some of the biggest crowds and greatest reggae stars. Montreal's "Festival du Afrique" is one of the best in the Hemisphere, and England as well as France's Caribbean influences continue to flourish. Sol Horizon's upcoming show at Santa Rosa's 28th Annual Harmony Festival, (June 9th-11th), promises to be another memorable performance.
There is no telling how far Sol Horizon can go, more collaborations with Banton, a vigorous Summer and Spring tour, festivals and plans for European shows, keep the group energized and focused on spreading their positive message of community building, planetary empowerment and love. Yeah Mon!
Sol Horizon, "Party Revolution"
Saturday, June 3rd @ Ukiah Brewery 102 S. State St Ukiah, CA
Thursday, June 8th @ Metro's Music in the Other Park,
St. James Park N 1st St & W St James St San Jose, CA
Sunday, June 11th @ 27th Annual Harmony Festival, Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, CA
