ADVERTISE
CONTACT US
SUBMISSIONS
  • News
    Adama Janlo

    Adama Janlo releases powerful debut single / Hurt

    Malu

    MALU delivers an uplifting summer anthem / Comfort Zone

    Jaya May

    Jaya May delivers soul power / Yours

    Zikai

    Zikai returns with smooth summer single / Super 8

    Susanne Ørum

    [WATCH] Susanne Ørum brings the sun out / Be Mine 254 W

    Jonny Benavidez vinyl

    Chicano Soul Brother Jonny Benavidez announces debut album

    MENSAHIGHLIFE releases a soulful tribute / GULLI

    Fieh

    [WATCH] Fieh release official video / Judy Law

  • Reviews
    • All
    • Album Review
    • Live Review
    • Single / EP Reviews
    Steph album cover

    Love Seasons (Pt 1) – STEPH

    Susanne Ørum Get Real

    Get Real – Susanne Ørum

    Be Free Ebba Åsman

    Be Free – Ebba Åsman

    Nocturnal - Venus Anon

    Nocturnal – Venus Anon

  • Features
    • All
    • Interviews
    • Scandinavian Soul Sessions
    • Soul Talk
    Stylish black girl in shades

    [INTERVIEW] Behind the video with RÜ

    Black & white soul singer

    Soul music – the sound of societal change

    Johan Nilsson

    [INTERVIEW] Behind the groove with Band of Pockets

    Aureola

    I wanted it to sound like the feeling of running your hand over silk – Aureola

    Naomi Vaughn

    ‘We just broke out laughing and kept laughing’ – Interview with Naomi Vaughn

  • Events
    • Scandinavian Soul Music Awards
    • Scandinavian Soul Festival 2013
  • Artists / Bands
  • Videos
    • Playlists
  • Shop
    • SOUL SHOP
      • STYLE
      • MERCHANDISE
      • VINYL
      • BOOKS
      • SALE
No Result
View All Result
0

No products in the basket.

  • News
    Adama Janlo

    Adama Janlo releases powerful debut single / Hurt

    Malu

    MALU delivers an uplifting summer anthem / Comfort Zone

    Jaya May

    Jaya May delivers soul power / Yours

    Zikai

    Zikai returns with smooth summer single / Super 8

    Susanne Ørum

    [WATCH] Susanne Ørum brings the sun out / Be Mine 254 W

    Jonny Benavidez vinyl

    Chicano Soul Brother Jonny Benavidez announces debut album

    MENSAHIGHLIFE releases a soulful tribute / GULLI

    Fieh

    [WATCH] Fieh release official video / Judy Law

  • Reviews
    • All
    • Album Review
    • Live Review
    • Single / EP Reviews
    Steph album cover

    Love Seasons (Pt 1) – STEPH

    Susanne Ørum Get Real

    Get Real – Susanne Ørum

    Be Free Ebba Åsman

    Be Free – Ebba Åsman

    Nocturnal - Venus Anon

    Nocturnal – Venus Anon

  • Features
    • All
    • Interviews
    • Scandinavian Soul Sessions
    • Soul Talk
    Stylish black girl in shades

    [INTERVIEW] Behind the video with RÜ

    Black & white soul singer

    Soul music – the sound of societal change

    Johan Nilsson

    [INTERVIEW] Behind the groove with Band of Pockets

    Aureola

    I wanted it to sound like the feeling of running your hand over silk – Aureola

    Naomi Vaughn

    ‘We just broke out laughing and kept laughing’ – Interview with Naomi Vaughn

  • Events
    • Scandinavian Soul Music Awards
    • Scandinavian Soul Festival 2013
  • Artists / Bands
  • Videos
    • Playlists
  • Shop
    • SOUL SHOP
      • STYLE
      • MERCHANDISE
      • VINYL
      • BOOKS
      • SALE
No Result
View All Result
0

No products in the basket.

No Result
View All Result

Charlotte Dos Santos releases new single / Good sign

Iron Island debuts an emotional ballad

Djeff blossom with debut album

Andy Collins by Andy Collins
10/06/2017
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Pinterest

Let me begin by saying this.

The debut album, In Bloom, by 7-piece Danish band Djeff showcases a band striving for reinvention and recreation and is one of the best albums you’ll hear from Scandinavia in 2017

I write this early so you can press play now rather than read through my words.

If you’re still here, let me explain why?

Based in Silkeborg / Copenhagen, Djeff is an ensemble cast of unique perspectives. Their approach to the project finds space for each member; Keshia Christiansen – Christoffer Holm Clausen – Rasmus Riis Sitarz – Christian Holm Clausen – Mads Sigaard – Shabnam Motahari – Martin Møller, to give their voice in their own unique, musical language.

The gentle opener Set Me Free, feels like a gentle walk in a garden as our host greets us with a spoken word montage before leading us the groove filled forest of #2 Eternal Laws. Adorned with a D’Angelo lick, soulful vocals and rounded with an impassioned Black preacher speech. It’s a solid track.

Track #3 My Love, is a soul-hop track layered with a spectrum of immense musicality, enhanced with 90’s Soul touches that imbue it with a kaleidoscope of beauty.

Lyrically reminiscent of Finnish bands Humus and Dolla Lova who wove compelling intrigue into their constructions, track #4 Natural, is a killer, and the breakdown elements within this track make it one of the standouts of the set.

The 7 min run time of #6 On the Search  – confirms what I knew. Djeff isn’t a band trying to produce pop hits; they want to re-connect with the fragrant essence of music and express themselves in their way, and in their own time. You know, like real music should.

When Keshia sings ‘Soul is what I really miss’ not only does she demonstrate her vocal dexterity, but it also feels like a statement that lies at the heart of the band’s creation. This message chimes strongly with me, and the roots of scandinaviansoul.com

The sound of African voices on Unajali – is an enjoyable interlude. It somehow fits and yet acts as a symbol of their global influences.

I can’t stop playing the immersive 6min wonder that is #8 What If I Told You? featuring Mathias Heise. The track is planted in fertile soil, and the harmonica comes alive on this sparkling gem, and I’m so thankful for its run time!

It honestly feels like my Grado headphones love it as much as my ears, as they did the albums’ final track #9 Symphoty. Another musically expansively that has a special warmth about it, that once again leaves you hoping this musical garden excursion doesn’t end.

The whole album is rich in American neo-soul influences and lovingly reproduced with Danish skill, sincerity and complexity.

Not everything works though. Some tracks end too abruptly, and the slow-down fade out does disturb the absorbing mind-flow, but the essence in the next track always makes up for any nit-picking.

Whilst the album ‘borrows’ heavily from US neo-soul greats D’Angelo, Erykah Badu and Robert Glasper, there’s a fresh synchronisation of styles, where they purposely fuse hip-hop/soul/R&B/jazz with subtle pop and rock sensibilities.

The whole album; the instrumentation, the creative production, the organic interpretation and the soulful vocals of Keshia Christiansen are enough to demonstrate a pure, authentic and passionate desire to make soul music.

I already know I want to see this band live.

Over to you Djeff. Bring your videos, vinyl, cassettes or t-shirts. I’m sold, and happy to lay in the sun and continue listening in their beautiful new garden.

The Review

4 Score

Don't let this one pass you by! There's a beautiful garden here to explore!

Review Breakdown

  • 4
Tags: danish soulDjeffnew album
Retro Soul Playlist Retro Soul Playlist Retro Soul Playlist
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

People in golden sunshine
Latest News

Mellow FURNS reveal your self-worth / All You Got Is Gold

by Andy Collins
21/01/2022
Girl leaning back in blue light
Latest News

Signe Anna delivers sensual sensational soul / Brug For

by Andy Collins
26/06/2020
Latest News

Anya pushes boundaries with double release / Farlig & Min Kind

by Amandus Kraftling
06/03/2020
Features

Ten tracks on Soundcloud that need some lovings

by Andy Collins
14/02/2020
Load More

Discover more

Adama Janlo
Latest News

Adama Janlo releases powerful debut single / Hurt

26/05/2023
Malu
Latest News

MALU delivers an uplifting summer anthem / Comfort Zone

24/05/2023
Jaya May
Latest News

Jaya May delivers soul power / Yours

22/05/2023
Prev Next
tigeradvert

Archives

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

    Little extra details…

    • Our services
    • My account
    • Customer Service
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Behind the scenes

    • ABOUT US
    • EVERYTHING SCANDINAVIAN SOUL IS AND ISN’T
    • JOIN OUR TEAM

    stripe

    © 2023 scandinaviansoul.com. Design by 68-design.

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Home
    • News
    • Reviews
      • Single / EP Reviews
      • Album Review
      • Live Review
    • Features
      • Interviews
      • Soul Talk
    • Events
      • Scandinavian Soul Festival 2013
    • Videos
    • Playlists
    • Artists / Bands
    • SOUL SHOP
    • Cart
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
    • About us
    Close