Artist: SOKI2U
CD: Seeing Faces
Home: UK, France, South Africa and China
Style: Experimental
Quote: "SOKI2U had a whole lot of fun making Seeing Faces, and if audiences pick up on that fun, great. And that, brothers and sisters, is the right way to make music."

By Dan MacIntosh

SOKI2U describe themselves as experimental. Sometimes when acts frame themselves thusly, it is a warning sign to stay the heck away. After all, who wants to listen to music they simply don’t get? But be not afraid, friends, because SOKI2U is not experimental in any unmelodic, un-rhythmic way. Instead, this collective is experimental in the enjoyably eclectic way. In other words, these folks are just as likely to lean towards classical music, and do so successfully, as they are at getting jazzy, which they also do quite well. These are experiments that lead to successful musical creations, rather than winding roads to nowhere.
Where else can you find a song like "You’re Tearing out My Heart," which appears to be sung in Japanese, next to "Not Giving Up," which is a lively, upbeat piano jazz workout? The CD closes with this disc’s title cut, which is an unlikely operatic little number. This act’s international flavor derives from the fact that it is a collection of independent musicians based in the UK, France, and Japan. Although there are clearly some leftfield inclusions on this 14-track set, such as the circus-y, dance groove of "Inwanity," most of these songs are fairly straightforward.
A few of the best tracks are the ones that primarily feature acoustic guitar and a male vocal. This happens more than a few times, including "Open Window," "Cold Town," and "Passed On." "Regards to Roxy" does away with vocals altogether, however, as it is an acoustic guitar instrumental.
What makes this act so experimental is uncertain, although one song titled "Peyote" might give us a slight hint. This is not to suggest the music is druggy; but something must be causing these players to throw caution to the wind in order to create without any limitations. There are so many unexpected moments, that it’s almost like opening presents on Christmas morning. "A Circle of Sorrow," for instance, with its affected vocal sounds a little ELO-y. And compared to the rest of these songs, this one in particular is flat out an unexpected treat. It’s tempting to treat music like advertising campaigns. You know the drill, find your market and shape your sounds to fit said market. SOKI2U wouldn’t know what you were talking about if you used this advertising analogy with them, and that’s a good thing. They had a whole lot of fun making Seeing Faces, and if audiences pick up on that fun, great. And that, brothers and sisters, is the right way to make music.

Indie-Music