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Bobby Oroza

Soul / Finland (Helsinki)
Bobby Oroza
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Bobby Oroza

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Black Pumas, Alabama Shakes, Charles Bradley

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Lo-fi nu soul

" The sweet soul sounds of lazy summer afternoons, with just a hint of grit "

It’s not where you take things from – it’s where you take them to.” Wise words from Jean-Luc Goddard, and an oft-used quote to describe artists taking swirling well-known styles and genres into exciting new shapes. Artists like Bobby Oroza. Born in Helsinki to a family of Finnish and Bolivian descent, he’s what you might describe as a “throwback”, all dusky 60s soul and R&B-influenced pop. Exposed to Motown, jazz, Latin music, Doo-wop, South American folk and Nuyorican salsa from a young age, he took up guitar and drums; as a teenager, he studied percussion and singing in Santiago de Cuba.

All of this was poured into his cult classic debut record ‘This Love’, recorded with Timmion Records’ house band Cold Diamond & Mink. It’s a lo-fi, brooding collection of soul songs, all unhurried guitar licks and languid, timeless melodies. And now he’s updated his romance-infused raw rock and soul with new album ‘Get on The Otherside’. Heavily informed by the pandemic and lockdown ennui, it deals with personal hardships and brutal truths and sees Oroza engage with a refreshed perspective and new understandings.

There’s still plenty of dreamy guitar and soulful textures, but there’s an added edge to his music now; directness too. Songs about living and love, change, and coming to terms with our own limitations all feature. Above all, it’s a record about, well, getting to the other side. Silky and sultry, but more mature; smooth, but with added realism. It’s another masterful release from one of Europe’s most intriguing, eclectic talents.