A sublime mix of jazz, funk, and breakbeats, with a little reggae, Latin, and African grooves thrown in for good measure.

11 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Jazz-Funk, JAZZ: World Fusion

Show all album songs: Urban Organics Songs


Details:
What do breakdancing and jazz have in common? Just ask Soul Cycle, the Brooklyn-based trio that has successfully fused soul jazz, hip-hop, and funk into an exciting new sound. Conceived at a weekly breakdance event, Soul Cycle has emerged as its own entity, influenced but not restricted to its hip-hop roots. The Soul Cycle sound is based on the blueprints drawn in the early 1970's by Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Miles Davis, and James Brown, but extended to reflect the sensibilities of the hip-hop age and beyond.

"Breakdancing came about in the 70's when people were mixing together records that had very different sounds," explains Jesse Fischer, the group's keyboard-player and leader. "People were mixing rock records with Latin records with pop records, disco records, soul records, and punk records. DJ's were putting that all together and just extending the percussive part of each record, which was called the break -- that's where breakdancing came from." Soul Cycle continues that tradition in its focus on rhythmic energy, and its free-wheeling incorporation of many styles and moods, often within the same composition.

One of Soul Cycle's strongest assets are its original compositions, which all three members contribute. Beneath the surface of memorable and intensely lyrical melodies lies an often complex kaleidescope of shifting rhythmic patterns and harmonic colors. "My goal when writing is to come up with tunes that are meaningful on many levels," continues Fischer, who has penned over 100 compositions for the group. "Everything Soul Cycle plays can be enjoyed by the casual listener, but there's a lot going on that isnât obvious at first. That's why people come back to see us play again and again, and hear something different, something new and exciting, each time."

Repeat listeners will also be rewarded by Soul Cycle's commitment to interplay and group unity. Look beyond the stunning individual musicianship of the three group members, and you find a selfless and empathetic apporach to playing not common among musicians so young. "All I'm thinking about when I play is, how can I give Jesse and Josh what they need, and how can I contribute to the group sound," offers Corey Rawls, the groupâs drummer. This attitude results in a cohesion and a synergy that is appreciated by critics and non-musicians alike. "This goes beyond music," insists Fischer. "When we're up there playing, we're setting a mood or telling a story or conveying a feeling, and weâll do anything to get that across." Emotional honesty is a touchstone for any type of soul music, and Soul Cycle is no exception.

Soul Cycle isn't all seriousness, however. The seamless stage show consistently impresses audiences and often includes elements of surprise and comedy. Audience participation and dancing in the aisles is common, although some prefer just to close their eyes and listen. Simplicity and complexity; danceable grooves and singable melodies -- thereâs something for everyone in Soul Cycle.

Jesse Fischer (keys) began playing piano when he was about two. He has been playing professionally since 1995. At Mason Gross School of the Arts, he studied piano with Stanley Cowell, and he has also attended the School of Improvisational Music in New York, where he took lessons with Vijay Iyer and Andy Milne. In addition to performing with Soul Cycle and many other groups, Jesse is also an accomplished producer of hip-hop and R&B music.

Josh David (bass), from Roselle, NJ, grew up singing in church and playing bass and guitar. Since graduating William Patterson with a degree in jazz performance, he has recorded and toured with many internationally known jazz and hip-hop artists, including Q-Tip, Common, Renee Neufville, James Poyser, Redman, Rodney Jerkins, and Kim Burrell. Josh currently lives in Brooklyn and leads a roots reggae band, Judah Tribe.

Corey Rawls (drums) has been playing drums professionally for ten years. At Mason Gross School of the Arts (Rutgers University) where he received a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies, Corey was taught by jazz greats such as William Fielder, Stanley Cowell, Ralph Bowen, Ralph Peterson, Vic Juris and Victor Lewis. Mr. Rawls now teaches at Passaic County Community College and gives private instructions for drums.