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"A staple of their critically-acclaimed live show, Soulganic's trademark earthy energy is evident on their debut album All Directions Forward. This CD is full of talented musicians that collectively put their amazing energy and roots into a sound so organic and soulful. It gives you the feeling of actually being there at a live performance. All Directions Forward is a must have for those that love and thirst for great soulful undiluted music." - JustSoul.net (2008)
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"The funk syncopation of Soulganic offers the bluesy soul of old-style R&B, laced with Latin percussion. Lead singer Anthony Rodriguez, who also plays bass, brings a Jacksonesque falsetto but is fresher and very playful. Corry McClure (drums, keys), Lucas Torres (percussion), and Ryan McKeithan (guitars and background vocals) are phenomenal. McKeithan’s intricate jazz guitar work is often showcased against the simplicity of hand drums." - Skope Magazine (2008)
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"Soul & Organic = Soulganic: yes; but indisputably we're dealing with didactics as a pure doctrine of popular music creation: sparse arrangements made up of classical guitar, bass, and drums with quite precise & economic arcs of melody, and production that hasn't tinkered around too much with the original sound. So what we get tries to reflect that straight out-of-the-garage live performance sound.
And the four from Soulganic (an understated sir on percussions can be added to the aforementioned trio) don't limit themselves to Soul, they move it into a more apparent than actually identifiable influence in the musical gumbo of All Directions Forward. Rock & Funk, a trace of Jazz improvisation & inspiration, a relaxing Latin flow & rasping Blues provide the cornerstones to the Soulganic philosophy. It perhaps sounds a little like the early adventures of Red Hot Chilli Peppers: always emotional, energetic, and down-to-earth. For boys." - Shortcuts, SoulSite.de, Germany (2008)
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"The four members of the band Soulganic make groove like some of the R&B groups of the past, but their sights are set on what the future holds. 'All Directions Forward' is an album that captures the band's signature jazzy neo-soul sound with the energetic vibe that they bring to their animated stage performances." NPR (2007)
---"I only include what I consider to be the very best music in my broadcast, ‘Closer’ (track 7 on All Directions Forward) is a very special piece of music, it’s in my top 20 of 2007 and I buy a LOT of music, believe me!! Big respect to you guys." - Roger Williams, Solar Radio, UK (2007)
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"Every track has a new groove and the same impressive vocals. But there is also enough variety to keep things new and fresh throughout the album. Track three, "If I Could Forget You", goes into a lush and organic flamenco guitar solo toward the end. And the following track is a smooth and heavy blues song. [Soulganic] is groovy, solid and original." - Ultra Indie Album Reviews (2007)
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"Let us introduce Soulganic...Together they brew up an intoxicating blend of funky soul with a distinctive Latin tinge and more than a dash of blues, rock, and jazz. All Directions Forward...does a fine job of recreating the club groove, especially on rock heavy tracks such as “Identity Crisis” and “Living the Life” as well as the blues tribute “Big Black Cadillac,” all featuring extended guitar solos by McKeithan. Torres, who originally hails from New York via Puerto Rico, is given free rein to demonstrate his virtuosity on congas and bongos on the up-tempo “Avonelle” and “Clouds of Yesterday” as well on the extended instrumental “Atacar” and the bossa nova styled “Time.” All Directions Forward is a solid debut from a promising band, and it will be interesting to see what direction they take in the future. No doubt it will be onward and upward for this talented quartet." - BlackGrooves.org (2007)
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"Soulganic is in the kitchen...[mixing] smidgens of jazz, blues, rock, and funk with Latin and Caribbean influences to create a sound they hope will never be deemed cookie-cutter. Their music is umbilically connected to live show jam sessions and life experiences that mix into songs. They season their music to taste, improvising ingredients without straying from the authenticity in their name." - Performer Magazine (2007)
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"All Directions Forward is a bit of a different groove than usual from this Carolina combo -- a group who work in funky Neo Soul modes, but also bring in a bit of Latin and Caribbean influences as well! The sound is relatively laidback -- played live, instrumentally, without a lot of extra beats or programming -- and the group have a vamping approach to the rhythms that sets things up nicely before the lyrics come in. The outside influences mostly show themselves in these rhythms, which open up in some relatively fresh ways." - Dusty Groove America (2007)
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"From start to finish, this album is an audio feast. From the fan favorite, bass line driven, opening track, to the final post-modern trippie grunge of the closing track, you'll be treated to one of the best releases this year. Expanding the limits of what soul & urban music is, McClure, Torres, McKeithan, & Rodriguez bring a sound that is both groovy & accessible without being too cheesy, as many bands who attempt the genre-blend come off." - Elliot Troper, Free Music Adviser (2007)
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"Effortless soul/funk with a jazzy impetuous side is the sound dynamic from the band Soulganic. The new album "All Directions Forward" highlights the eclectic inspiration of this quartet. It's no wonder fans find the music fun and eagerly follow Soulganic's antics." - Debby Jet Jennings, The [Rock Hill, SC] Herald (2007)
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"Charlotte-area quartet Soulganic condenses its critically praised, soulful funk-blues into an intimate debut album. Anthony Rodriguez's smooth vibrato, breathy vocals and delicate upper range give the songs emotional edge and add to the album's intimate feel. The disc verges into alternative hip-hop territory on the enthralling "Smell Pt. 2", a detailed meditation on scent that features descriptive, poetic spoken word courtesy of Bluz. And "Big Black Cadillac" borrows from Led Zeppelin's "Since I've Been Loving You," crossing the line between classic blues-rock and soul.
Drummer Cory McClure, guitarist Ryan McKeithan and percussionist Lucas Torres rein in their desire to stretch out and jam, which means this album lacks the loose, improvisational feel of their live shows. But it gives the listener and overview of Soulganic's groovy jams. «««1/2 (out of ««««)"- Courtney Devores, Charlotte Observer (2007)
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"What attracts the new fans and those who have stayed with them through their previous incarnations, is, in addition to the smooth falsetto vocals and soul grooves, the lyrics and hooks...It doesn't hurt that McClure and Torres offer a rhythmic dynamic that isn't often found on the musical landscape. While Torres brings a traditional Latin element to the band through congas, McClure, who is primarily a keyboard player, finds melody and balance on the drums. Add in the bass and vocals of Rodriguez and playful guitar work of McKeithan and you've got an amalgamation of styles that combine to form a funky, jazzy, soul collective...Their lyrics focus on the aspects of existence you may expect to find in a soul band -- love, life and all the things that go with it." - Jeff Hahne, Music Editor, Creative Loafing Charlotte (2007)
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"Show up. Close your eyes. You might think you're grooving to the Buddy Miles Express circa 1969." - Courtney Devores, The Charlotte Observer (2006)
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"It's hard to find a band that can speak to an eclectic and diverse crowd. Their music comes close to doing just that ... there's something in that soulful funk that everyone gets." - Debony Burrowes, SOTAC Magazine, as quoted in The Charlotte Observer (2006)
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"Fresh off it's well deserved Best New [Band] Award from Creative Loafing; Soulganic has made waves with its funky rhythms and tight arrangements wrapped in the smooth vocals of Anthony Rodriguez. The band wowed the crowd at the Charlotte Literary Festival. Consider me sold. Soulganic should run and not walk to a studio." -Wilson Medina, QC Nightlife Music Editor (2006)
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WINNER Best New Band, Critics' Choice (Charlotte's Best 2006, Creative Loafing)
WINNER Best New Band, Readers' Choice (Charlotte's Best 2006, Creative Loafing)
"If you have yet to see these guys live, you’re definitely missing out. Soulganic’s sound isn’t easily labeled. It’s jazzy, but not strictly so, thanks to that pounding beat laid out by Cory McClure and Lucas Torres. However, it isn’t just Latin rhythms, either. You feel it: it’s organic, growing moment by moment with aural combinations that are pleasing to the soul. During every song, the rhythm invades your body, forcing you to take notice and dance, sway, move until it subsides or you drop (whichever happens first)." - Branna Calloway, Listings Editor, Creative Loafing Charlotte (2006)
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WINNER Best Local Male Vocalist, Critics' Choice : Anthony Rodriguez of Soulganic (Charlotte's Best 2006, Creative Loafing)
"Soulganic has been making musical waves in our neck of the woods with a blend of soulful jazz and shades of funk. Rodriguez has the NY falsetto that’s big enough to wrap around the music. Add Latin rhythms to the mix and it’s certifiably organic. Rodriguez is a snazzy bassist to boot." - Branna Calloway, Listings Editor, Creative Loafing Charlotte (2006)
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"Soulganic's performance rocked! Their eclectic mix of Jazz / Latin / Blues / Soul / Rock / Folk / Funk pulsated into the streets of NODA as the crowd begged for more. ENCORE!" - Debony Burrowes, Publisher, State of the Arts & Culture (SOTAC) Magazine (2006)
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"Soulganic's R&B/Funk/Jazz with a Latin twist is definitely starting to affect the way Charlotteans get their groove on." - Kandia Crazy Horse, Former Music Editor, Creative Loafing Charlotte (2005)
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"If you haven't seen the Jazzy-Funk-Soul band Soulganic, you've got to check them out! They're my band of the moment, fa' sho'! Soulganic's lead singer's falsetto makes him sound like a woman, and the band has a strong following of young professionals who bum-rush their shows. Go check them out!!!" - Tonya Jameson, Pop Culture Columnist, The Charlotte Observer (2005)