SOJA goes live
American reggae band SOJA releases its first live album on Friday. Titled SOJAH: Live In Virginia, the 14-track set includes songs from the eight-piece unit’s studio albums.
Percussionist Ken Brownell spoke about the album in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.
“The fact is that our live show is the foundation of SOJA and our fan base has been eagerly waiting for us to put out a live album,” he said.
Live In Virginia was recorded at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in SOJA’s home state.
“What better place than at home at the legendary Wolf Trap National Theatre for the Performing Arts? We all grew up seeing shows there as kids and it’s all coming full circle now with SOJA: Live in Virginia,” Brownell said.
Some of the songs SOJA perform are Sorry, Creeping In, Mentality, She Still Loves Me, Open My Eyes, Rest of My Life and I Believe.
“The album was mixed and mastered by Jim Fox of Lion and Fox Studios who we have worked with since the beginning on multiple studio albums, so the fit was just perfect to work together,” Brownell disclosed.
SOJA has released six studio albums. Their previous effort was 2014’s Amid the Noise And Haste which sold over 40,000 copies in the United States and was nominated for Best Reggae Album Grammy in 2015.
The other members of SOJA are Jacob Hemphill (lead vocals and guitar); Bobby Lee Jefferson (bass and vocals); Patrick O’Shea (keyboards); Ryan ‘Bird’ Berty (drums); Hellman Escorcia (saxophone); Rafael Rodriguez (trumpet); and Trevor Young (guitar, vocals).
The group performed in Jamaica at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in 2015.