Orkestra del Sol - Gross National Happiness

The Guardian 60

(Solmusic Recordings)

Orkestra del Sol have enjoyed an entertaining 14-year career. Starting out as a street band, reworking global brass band styles, this Edinburgh-based nine-piece went on to perform everywhere from Glastonbury to India or a Chinese street festival. They also began writing their own material; seven of the band take composition credits on what, they say, will be their final album. It starts with The Final Fling, a Scottish answer to a Romanian Gypsy wedding song driven on by a romping bass lines from the sousaphone, then switches to what sounds like a south-of-the-border cowboy theme, west African influences on Iye Ojo Bah, echoes of Spanish flamenco, and even a burst of accordion-backed dub reggae. A classy set, although it would have been helped by more vocals from violinist Tom Adams. And I suspect that a band famous for their live shows will sound even better on their farewell tour.