New Soul Orchestra came as a result of Dan Miller suggesting to his singer/songwriter younger brother, Michael, that they form a band in an Earth, Wind & Fire mould to recreate the soul sounds of the seventies. Thus, in early 2000, was born a thirteen-person aggregation, fronted by "blue-eyed" Michael on lead vocals and vocally supported by "brown-eyed" Ron Anthony and Charmaine Patterson. The rest of the mixed-race group comprises guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, percussion, trumpet, trombone, first and second violins and cello, plus supplementary help as required. Apologies to the band for missing their names - it's a space thing! The results here prove they succeeded in their aspirations, right from the opening notes of "When Two People Lose Each Other", a highly-orchestrated uptempo item which can best be described as "mellow funk". Strings are more to the fore on "You Left Too Soon" and it has to be said that Michael Miller -- who wrote all the songs -- equips himself well in his Philip Bailey role. The tempo changes down and a reggae backbeat is added to "Enjoy The Night", a lighter and most effective arrangement with string interruptions enhancing the whole. "Sweet Sweet" is a romantic item to which has been added a tougher arrangement than one might expect to go with the lyrics but it really works, while on the strong six-minute-23 ballad, "Venus", Ron Anthony features strongly and Charmaine Patterson gets her own chance to shine in the break.

The midtempo "Mr. Shy" has the words "pop charts" written all over it and maybe it does require a less soulful showing on Michael's part but "Don't Be Afraid (To Fall In Love Again)" brings back a good feel of an era -- to quote another reviewer -- before the dj's and gangstas took over. A "live" intro to "Mr. Shy", recorded in September last year, forms a thirty-one second break before "All I Ask Of You", with a determined beat and a strong tune that will soon have you singing along but if it's ballads you want, the delicious "She's In My Mind" will easily fit the bill. Augmented by extra keyboards and strings, the song opens up when it gets to the bridge, filling out and making the whole more complex than just a "moon and June" song. Finally, another live item, "The Libra Way", closes the set - funkier than much of what has gone before and proving these guys and girls are as good on the stage at Arlene Grocery as they are in the studio. From cdbaby or the group's website at www.newsoulorchestra.com -- where it is also available in vinyl -- this really merits wide attention.

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From the upcoming issue of In The Basement magazine, Issue #34 - May-July 2004