New Shogun Orchestra!

This Wellington combo led by Lucien Johnson, dropped their splendid debut on Economy Records (home to The Yoots/Lord Echo) back in 2010. Jakarta Records in Germany picked it up and pressed it on vinyl. That album was a blend of the music of East Africa, The Caribbean and the Indian Subcontinent. Ethio jazz, afrobeat, and soca. It's a great listen.

Here's the followup, Black Lotus, fresh out of the box. Out now on CD/digital. Available from Bandcamp (above) or go to Amplifier and get the album (CD/digital).

The Black Lotus album tour dates are Oct 25 at SFBH Wgtn, Nov 8 at Ponsonby Social Club, AKL, Nov 9 at Leigh Sawmill Cafe. Info below....

"Following on from triumphant gigs at WOMAD and Wellington’s State Opera House, Shogun Orchestra are back on the road to celebrate the release of their second album ‘Black Lotus’.

Described as “a musical odyssey, which roams the planet in search of lost and exotic melodies”, their first release made major waves in Europe after being licensed to Berlin label Jakarta Records. Shogun’s ‘Bamako’ was play-listed on influential Paris station Radio Nova and was selected for inclusion on their prestigious compilation ‘Nova Tunes 2.6’.

The new album is a unique blend of simmering funk, mysterious melodies and references to ancient samurai culture.

The 10 piece band showcases the talents of sizzling hot Venezuelan born vocalist Jennifer Zea, along with a first rate lineup of Wellington musicians, assembled by composer and saxophonist Lucien Johnson (also of the Black Seeds).

As reviewer Nick Bollinger put it, Shogun Orchestra’s music is "beautiful, celebratory, uplifting, with grooves that seem to wrap themselves around the world".