Based on a bet that a world/hip hop/reggae band could not be started in the upper Midwest, Irie Sol's founder, Chris Williams of Kingston, Jamaica realized his dream and earned a cool $5 spot and the praise of many music critics, including the Executive Editor of Vibe Magazine, who gave the band the following write-up:
"A recent expedition to the Twin Cities uncovered this 7-man reggae/hip hop band. Irie Sol is a tight unit with a live show that will blow your joints out." O.J. Lima, former Executive Editor of Vibe Magazine, current President of limachips.com, an NYC-based hub of global DJ and hip hop culture.
Erupting out of Minneapolis/St. Paul with a musical blend that reflects diverse band members who hail from Jamaica, Canada, the East Coast and the Midwest, Irie Sol delivers authentic Jamaican rap/chat over blazing bebop horns, soaring soulful melodies, and tight drum and bass.
The line up of trumpets, saxophone, trombone, bass, guitar, keyboard, and drums is always a crowd pleaser, and the smooth vocals are the icing on the cake. The combination of the music and the band’s energy will most definitely get any audience on their feet and dancing. This particular fusion of genres and sounds is unlike anything you've heard!
Instrumentation
Joel Pace -- lead vocals, trumpet, beat box
Chris Williams -- bass, vocals
Lars Nelson -- vocals
Jon Lanctin -- trumpet
Angelo Williamson -- keyboards, bass, trombone
Matt Rongstad-- saxophone, flute
Pat Olson -- guitar
Michael Dawald -- guitar
Kyle Engedal -- drums
Mario Dawson -- drums
Discography
"Solstice" Copyright 2009
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