Two

Soko | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 17, 2005)
• Original Release Date: May 17, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Breezeway Records
• ASIN: B0009JVSVC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #214,341 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

(bio info excepted from Eric Hoover’s review of Soko’s debut album, “In November Sunlight” in C-VILLE Weekly, 1997.) Soko bassist Houston Ross remembers sitting downstairs at Miller's in the fall of 1991 when he first heard Michael Sokolowski tickling the ivories in a duet performance with guitarist Tim Reynolds. "When I heard Mike play, something just hit me," Ross says. "I knew this was different, and I wanted to be a part of it." Ross approached Sokolowski about playing together after the set, and the core of Soko took shape -- yet another band whose roots began in the low-lit downtown jazz bar. Percussionist Johnny Gilmore rounded out the trio which soon began performing under the name "Third Ear" until 1994 when a California bluegrass band claimed first use of the name. After appearing for a year as "Zoom," the band became "Soko" and ended the name-game confusion. (Note: later, the band learned of a dance/electronica outfit by the same name, but by that time they were locked in.) Sporting a seasoned rhythm section that anchors the intricate piano melodies, Soko's live performance offers listeners the thrill of free-floating improvisations. Soko's sound lives far away from the repetitive choruses and lyrical hooks that dominate pop radio. To date, Soko has performed only as an instrumental trio. When there are no words to go with the music, Sokolowski says, a listener's experience is freed from conventional constraints. "It can be easier to access music when it's just the pure notes in front of you," Sokolowski says. "Without words, music can transform someone's whole experience." Elaborating on that notion, Ross says words and lyrics usually connote definite meanings, while instrumental music takes a listener on less certain, "more emotional" voyages. The song titles on the band's first CD, In November Sunlight, function as prompts or suggestions for the melodies that follow. "If I just started humming to you, you might start thinking any number of things," Ross says. "But if I give you a verbal suggestion, and then I start humming, you'll have a whole different experience." Ross says Soko's music takes him to a place where he's "feeling, not thinking." Turns out the band will add vocals to the mix on its next outing, but there are no plans to upend the band's signature sound. (Note: Soko:Two features Houston Ross as lead vocalist on four of the 12 tracks.)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Soko, June 27, 2006

By 

Peter Lavezzoli (Ft. Lauderdale, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Two (Audio CD)

This lovely sophomore effort from Sokolowski and Ross is an unpretentious survey of styles, which nevertheless avoids falling into vanilla pastiche, primarily because the production and musical approach on each track is simple and straightforward. "Storyteller" is an ironic title, as this opening track finds Ross venturing into Indian vocal raga territory with his wordless melismas, supported by an oceanic drone of bass, keyboards, and percussion. Again, the performance has an engaging simplicity of purpose, and the only "story" being told is in the listener's own mind. "Plant the Sky" is a funkified trio performance, veering between the slow shuffle of the verse--powered by the muscular electric bass of Ross and Sokolowski's driving piano rhythm--and the straight 4/4 funk, anchored by the backbeat of drummer Will Coles. "Speak Up" then features Ross and Sokolowski in an African percussion duet, with thrilling panning effects in the stereo image between Ross' talking drum and other percussion. As noted, the approach is stripped of any "world music" pretense. The remainder of the album follows this trend of an eclecticism that never falls into pick'n'mix miscellany. Rather, the musicians are simply exploring several different options throughout the record, bringing full commitment to each composition. Other highlights include "Antidote," with its lyrical piano line and guest David Darling's cello floating over a static bed of percussion that evokes Brian Eno's brief vignettes on "Another Green World." "Stella: Reflections" is a solo piano feature for Sokolowski that reminds me of George Winston...but hey, I LIKE George Winston!

The only cover version on the album is the Beatles' "Rain," one of John Lennon's more enduring "message" songs with its Zen-like emphasis on direct experience and acceptance of present reality. Here, Ringo's landmark drumming is absent, replaced by an ethereal pianistic arrangement, with a gravel-throated vocal from Ross that sounds as if Leonard Cohen was singing the song (oddly appropriate, considering Cohen's own relationship with Zen Buddhism). Also a fitting tribute to Lennon, which could be easily missed by the uninitiated, is that "Rain" is placed on the album here as track #9, a number that played a significant role throughout Lennon's life.

It should be noted that the CD booklet is especially attractive, with each song having its own artistic representation on each page, with several gorgeous paintings by San Francisco-based surrealist painter Dean Gustafson, whose illustrations perfectly complement the moods and colors of the pieces they represent...a vital ingredient of the total package that is unavailable to those who simply download or sample this music online. Which means: buy the CD!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Sublime Musical Journey, March 21, 2011

By 

Gina Douglas - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Two (Audio CD)

This album accomplished what I've never experienced before with any musical talent. The music gently guided me on a journey of self-discovery, where I learned and experienced my soul in a unique light. A few songs inspired emotions that were raw and primordial; others inspired an acceptance of who I am in relationship to my present human experience. I found myself feeling beautiful, vulnerable and sensual; as if the music was a magical fairy taking me to a place of pure acceptance. In this musical journey, I also faced a few repressed fears but found myself accepting of my flaws as I enjoyed the instrumentals of this amazing album. Two has the rare distinction of being a musical ashram to its listener. I highly recommend this album if you want to experience yourself anew.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Music, August 19, 2005

By 

Kevin Lesko (Irvine, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Two (Audio CD)

Working in the music industry, I can honestly say that rarely does an album come along that truly defies any one musical genre as much as Soko's "Two". Following up "In November Sunlight", Soko's sophomore album, "Two" explores the realms of Jazz, World Music, New Age, Classical Piano, Instrumental improvisation, and even includes a fantastic cover of a Beatles' classic. To try to pigeonhole "Two" into any singular genre would be doing it a great injustice. As with its predecessor, "Two" finds many of Charlottesville's finest musicians lending a musical hand including guitar virtuoso Tim Reynolds. Simply put, this is music that cannot be described in a simple review... it must be heard, and will likely be enjoyed.