S.O.L.A.R. - Faith for My Mind (2003)

A beautiful, beautiful little record – as righteous and soulful as some of the best spiritual jazz classics of the 70s – and arguably even rarer, as it was only issued on a tiny label from Atlanta! Solar have a sound that uses 3 female lead vocalists in chorus formation – one that comes across with the righteousness of Roy Ayers' best use of such a style, but which is taken even further in a wave of soul jazz expression – in a mode that reminds us a lot of the work of Dee Dee Bridgewater or Jean Carn singing together on key early records by Norman Connors, Carlos Garnett, or Mtume! The vocals share equally with the instrumentation on the set – delivering a message that's rich and positive, but never cliched or hokey. Instrumentation includes flute, soprano sax, piano, and some great percussion – and playing is inside, but exploratory – definitely in a post-Coltrane vein. Titles include "Rejoice", "Vanity", "Living For The Most High", "Faith For My Mind", and "It's A New Day". Really great stuff – and right up there with the classics of spiritual soul jazz!