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Solenca

Location:

London, UK

Biography:

Solenca

Solenca formed just over a year ago when singer Claudia Kennaugh and guitarist Niki Mukhi began writing songs together that combined Niki’s passion for Flamenco and Claudia’s love of Soul to form the fiery brand that is Solenca. Invited as resident musicians at Opal, Kensington the two had a weekly platform from which to showcase their early work, which, upon positive reception was recorded and became the debut EP. Under the direction of Claudia and Niki, the tracks were recorded with session musicians at the end of 2005. On completion of the EP, bassist Raphael White and drummer Pravin Mukhi joined the project. With the arrival of the rhythm section, the songwriting vehicle was complete, allowing the group to develop their sound into what is now “The Naked Elephant”.

Although armed with an EP ready for market, the executive decision was made by Solenca to hold back the release, due to having been approached by Nick Caffrey of Mindloop Studios UK, who wished to invest in the project to take it to a higher level. Working within Mindloop Studios in Highbury, Solenca recorded the album with unlimited access to industry standard recording and mastering facilities and experienced engineers. With the album now mastered, Solenca is responding to significant interest in both the album and their notorious live performances and are in the process of planning a showcase for industry insiders in the new year, with a view to securing a recording contract for release in 2007.

NEXT RELEASE

ALBUM: The Naked Elephant

Review:

Their debut offering ‘The Naked Elephant’ is a suitably fitting celebration of Solenca’s many influences. Breeding Flamenco with Soul, the album is a seamless fusion of strong melodic hooks on a backdrop of groove laden rhythms. With the focus shifting throughout the album the listener is bathed in lyrical irony, fluent Spanis guitar, effortless saxophone on the flawless rhythm section that is the Praff (Pravin and Raphael on drums and bass respectively).

This album is a pleasure from open to close and a privilege for any fusion enthusiast (ed. BOM). Demonstrating a maturity that is far beyond the cumulative age of the whole band, it bodes well for the future and a beautiful debut from this groundbreaking group of musicians.

Tracklisting:
  1. Once upon a time…
  2. The Naked elephant
  3. Day to Day
  4. February
  5. Claudita
  6. 3 a.m.
  7. Dance
  8. Interlude
  9. Make time to Lose Track of Time (i)
  10. Make time to Lose Track of Time (ii)
  11. Naughty Guy
  12. Kidulthood
  13. Unp’tit Peud’Raf
  14. Curse of the Night
  15. Snatched
  16. Happily Ever After

Links:

MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/solenca

Solenca - http://www.solenca.co.uk

Tunes: