Is it Jazz? Records have inked a deal with Norway’s SOLSTEIN, the latest project from multi-instrumentalist Jacob Holm-Lupo. Inspired by jazz-rock, funk, prog rock and chill-out, SOLSTEIN, offers up an instrumental form of rock, where jazz harmony combines with proggy arrangements and soul/funk grooves. The end result is a laid back, elegant, sound that oscillates between funky fusion and rock.
SOLSTEIN’s four- piece lineup have a history that could be classed as illustrious.
On keyboards for SOLSTEIN is Brynjar Dambo, known for his work with WHITE WILLOW, PINE LAKE, DONNER, HAAKON ELLINGSEN
A published author of books on various artists including TOTO and BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, Jacob Holm-Lupo himself, who will handle bass guitar, guitar and keyboards, is known for his other projects WHITE WILLOW, THE OPIUM CARTEL and DONNER. He is also a much respected producer and audio engineer, working out of his Dude Ranch Studio, whose name is very well known to fans of many of the bands on Is it Jazz? Records’ sister-label Karisma Records, with whom he has had a long collaboration.
Guitarist Stian Larsen was educated at the Norwegian Academy of Music, where he specialised in Jazz. He has recorded with, amongst others, SMITH KOMMA JOHN, KÖÖK and PET ZOO, and played live with the likes of LÖV, DANIEL KVAMMEN and BENDIK BAKSAAS, to name but a few.
Drummer Keith Carlock is a drum instructor who is a Grammy-winning recording artist and a Member of the Mississippi Musicians’ Hall of Fame. STEELY DAN, DONALD FAGEN, WALTER BECKER, TOTO, JOHN MAYER and STING are amongst the myriad artists with whom he has recorded or played live.
The initial idea behind SOLSTEIN, which translated means “Sunstone, was born from Jacob and Keith Carlock’s 2021 collaboration on “Hesitant Light”, the debut album from DONNER, on which Keith’s playing pushed some of the material in a jazzier, funkier, direction that Jacob felt merited further exploration.
The band itself is named after a relatively rare rock whose main deposit is found along the coast in Southern Norway where Jacob lives on a small island. The Sunstone has copper-red crystals that refract light in a beautiful way when seen from different angles.
About their upcoming collaboration with Is it Jazz? Records, the band had this to say:
SOLSTEIN are proud and pleased to sign with Is It Jazz? Records. We are looking forward to joining their artist roster and we feel their name reflects questions we often ask ourselves!
About their debut album, which will be titled “The Skerry” and which will be comprised of eight instrumental tracks, SOLSTEIN explained:
The making of our debut album has been a fun, light-hearted affair where zero fucks were given as to what the jazz police may have to say. Cheeky, 80’s-tinged fusion-soloing, pastel synths and a very open-minded interpretation of a Wayne Shorter classic are all par for the course. In fact there has only been one rule: No long solos. Keep it rock-length, not jazz-length.
More details about “The Skerry” will be revealed at a later date.
In the meantime, more information about SOLSTEIN can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/solsteinband
Additional Information
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solsteinband
Band Contact: aslanlupo@gmail.com
Is it Jazz? Records
Website: https://isitjazzrecords.no/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsItJazzRecords/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isitjazzrecords/
Contact: post@isitjazzrecords.no
PATRICIA THOMAS BAND MANAGEMENT 