Black Diaspora
Since their inception in 1994, Jazzhole has undergone many transformations, including band members and musical styles. But no matter the make-up of the band, or the genre of the music, Jazzhole has consistently made soulful, quality music. Their latest album, Circle of the Sun, is no exception. It is hard to peg Jazzhole into any category, Neo-soul applies. But so too does jazz, electronica, and world music. What remains constant is the group's core three - Marlon Saunders, whose soulful voice greaces most of the 12 tracks, Warren Rosenstein and John Pondel. With Circle of the Sun, it appears that Jazzhole is moving away from their acid jazz roots and closer to world music beats. Featured vocalist on the bossa-nova flavored title track is Cameroon-born Kaissa Doumbe, who also sings in her native language Duala on the track "superstar". Also featured is table player Naren Budhakar, most notably on the Depeche Mode cover tune, "Enjoy the Silence." The combination of Budhakar's tabla and the vocals of Michelle Lewis make for a wonderfully hypnotic experience.

I Spy Soul
Back in 1993 when WARREN ROSENSTEIN, MARLON SAUNDERS, and JOHN PONDEL, set out on the musical dig that would become JAZZHOLE they found themselves at the early stages of the acid jazz campaign. It was a musical movement that echoed their desire to break down the rigid walls of definition tied to jazz by some and in the process fashion a sound where their appreciation for it was allowed and encouraged in fact, to coexist with other forms of music namely, hip-hop and soul. It was a desire that also addressed the issue of accessibility. Keyboardist and JAZZHOLE brainchild, Rosenstein explains it this way. "One of the things that was going on at the time was acid jazz was just getting off the ground and there was a lot of talk back and forth between jazz purists who felt like jazz was this very, very intellectual, abstract music for snobs or whatever. We kind of felt like, well, let it be great music, but let it be music for the people. He continues, "So we almost in our mind pictured this fictional club like the Jazzhole, where people would just wonder in. And there’d be great jazz music, but people would also just be getting’ down! Just be having a good time. And if you want to mix it up with hip-hop or you want to mix it up with soul, it’s all good because it’s not supposed to be this intellectual music for the elite. It’s supposed to be for everyone." After their self-titled debut and follow-up, And The Feeling Goes Round, garnered high marks from critics and fans alike establishing them amongst the elite of the acid jazz weavers, Blackburst, their third, showed the group mining new musical territory and shifting the mood. With a sound that combined their jazz facility and innate soul vibe with a more laid back rhythmic groove, JAZZHOLE proved their mantra still held strong while also allowing them to move forward artistically.

Flash to 2003 and the concept behind JAZZHOLE is still intact, but still more new elements have been unearthed on their latest, CIRCLE OF THE SUN. The seeds planted by Blackburst take full bloom here with in addition to the jazz–tinged, mellifluous and soulful lean comes an injection of worldly influence provided largely by Cameroon born vocalist, Kaďssa Doumbč., Tabla player, Naren Budhakar and the marvelously talented, amazingly ubiquitous percussionist, Daniel Sadownick.

Circle of the Sun has already encouraged many to trumpet it JAZZHOLE’s best. When the question of whether that stamp is indeed accurate is put to outstanding vocalist and founding member Saunders, he thoughtfully concurs and points to a couple of reasons why. "I think a lot it has to do with the fact that we had a lot of time to kind of relax into the project, says Saunders. "We were able to just take the time to write things. "I think also too, he adds, "Warren (Rosenstein) is at a place where he’s now experimenting with a lot of different sounds. Sounds that are resonating with what’s happening in the world." Rosenstein, who holds an understandable impartiality in regard to the JAZZHOLE catalog, chimes in on the latter assessment. "I think some of it is just kind of our taste growing and changing. I enjoyed when we had the hip-hop influence in our music, but I also feel like as we were getting more into songs with melodies, it became more compelling for us to explore different styles like bringing in the world music element." He also points to what he believes is another strength of this project. "The thing that I like about it is something that I think we’ve gotten away from a little bit in music, says Rosenstein. "I like an album to not just be a group of songs, but for it to really hold together as an album. To have a vibe throughout that is consistent, so that the whole [album] kind of puts you in a mood or takes you on a little bit of a journey."

Circle of the Sun does both successfully providing an engaging listen with a urbane flow, richly textured with pulsating rhythms, lovely melodies, alluring vocals and cozy grooves that stir and sooth, ideal for moments of repose, reflection or times of a more amorous nature. The world flavor woven into JAZZHOLE’s sound comes full strength with the magnetic pulse of songs like the magical "Um Ritmo No Meu Sono" featuring dexterous work by Sadownick and Budhakar and "NDOLO", the first of several that feature vocalist, Doumbč imparting prose in her native tongue, Duala, But it’s clear from tracks, like the sensuous "Love Philosophy" and groove-filled gem "Who Do You Love" featuring Saunders on vocals, that while JAZZHOLE digs deeper for additional inspiration resulting in a sound Rosenstein unofficially deems, "Acoustic World Soul", the trademark hipness and "soul" will not be extinguished.

The use of labels is something that really goes against the JAZZHOLE concept although Rosenstein can give some small merit to their existence. The label he’s absolutely fine with however, is one that includes the word, soul. His reason? "The thing I like about soul as a label is to me, soul means music with feeling. So, you can have Jazz with feeling. You can have Hip-Hop with feeling. You can have R&B with feeling. You can have Rock & Roll with feeling. And really, if you look at all those genres, they all came from the same place. I’m not keen on labels, but if we had to pick one, having the word soul in it kind of makes me feel good because hopefully, it’s music that makes you feel something." Pretty deep.

Billboard
New York groove collective Jazzhole offers up another eclectic offering on its fourth set, Circle of the Sun. Founded by Warren Rosenstein, Marlon Saunders, and John Pondel, Jazzhole's ever-changing lineup is what helps keep its sound fresh. On Circle, the group enlists Kaďssa Doumbé, Mark Robohm, and Naren Budhakar, among others, to craft an album that is equal parts soul, electronica, jazz, and ambient. In essence, Jazzhole disregards contemporary R&B conventions in favor of musical landscapes that, while certainly earthy, are also otherworldly. Among its highlights are "A Love Thing" and the inspiring "Love Philosophy." The act's cover of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence" takes the electro-pop classic in a completely different direction, with vocalist Michelle Lewis effortlessly gliding over a lush backdrop. While purists may balk at such a loose, left-of-center cover, it is rather sublime. A feast for the ears.

Straight No Chaser
How come nobodyąs picked up on Jazzhole? This band has been around for some time and like Fertile Ground this New York based ensemble have a developed their own take on modern sweet soul music. There are echoes of Anita Baker
in her prime, the programming is kept to a minimum and the field is left open for quality musicianship and emotive songwriting. Comprising of Rhodes, drums, bass, guitar, tablas(!) and an array of gifted vocalists, you might like to think of Jazzhole as a cross between Erykah Badu and the Philadelphia Experiment. From the opening track OThree Daysą you sense the majesty and sophistication at work, and as the album progresses, weaving in African vocal tracks which sit comfortably alongside expansive instrumental segues, you know something special is afoot. Albums like this are few and far between and if you happen to be in NYC, it would be worth seeking this outfit because you can be sure they cut it live like they do in the studio. www.jazzhole.com, need I say more?

DJ Magazine
"Circle of the Sun" features a cover version of Depeche Mode's awesome "Enjoy the Silence"... Expect one of those hairs-on-the-neck-stand-up moments when you hear this one...

Urban Network
The Jazzhole collective does it again with a mellow, CD of vibe music that is heavy on Latin and Afrocentric influences. This is the ultimate meditative groove joint, 12 songs that speak to the philosophies our world needs in these times of economic downturns and Los Angeles shamefully flexing to become the crime capital of the world. Put this 12-song CD on and get back to better days.

Black Beat
Over the course of eight solid years and three rhythmically on-point LPs, positive word-of-mouth and critical kudos have spread the word that the New York City-based Jazzhole collective - comprised of seasoned live and studio musicians, with intensely soulful and worldly vocal talent - has a certain savvy for combining elements of organic R&B, smooth jazz, after-hours club, ambient electronica, hip-hop and hints of world music (African, bossa nova, etc.). Whether referred to as "neo-soul-meets-nu-jazz," "lounge music" or "modern urban soul," Jazzhole core members (primarily songwriters/producers Marlon Saunders, Warren Rosenstein and John Pondel) have consistently remained on the cutting edge of this musical hybrid through collaboration with an ever evolving line-up of equally diverse and accomplished performers, making for some unanimously pleasing and musically rich sounds over the past couple of years.

With Circle of the Sun, they continue to blur the lines between music styles, settling for nothing less than the most earthy and groove-minded vibes. While Saunders dependably handles the deeply soulful male vocals, turning in subtly affecting performances on sumptuous midtempos like the warm 'n sexy "Who Do You Love?" and the moody, kicked back "Love Philosophy," Circle of the Sun also benefits from an assortment of vocal flavors and textures. Cameroon native Kaissa Doubmbe, who has worked with noted African artists Salif Keita and Manu Dibango, merges her sweet, exotic-sounding melody with Kevin Disimone's cool keys for the shuffling midtempo club swirl of "Ndolo", returning under more soothing circumstances on the percussive, bossa nova-tinged title track. With a hint of classic Sade, the atmospheric "Three Days" puts vocalist Lucia Iman in the spotlight, much in the same way their breezy, hypnotic remake of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence" complements the sultry stylings of Michelle Lewis. Elsewhere, Jazzhole delves into mostly instrumental, lounge-fashioned grooves like "Winter's Melting" and "Horn Interlude" even going all the way mellow with "A Love Thing."

Good for everything from that spontaneous after-after party to that one-on-one date with someone special, if Circle of the Sun doesn't sooth or somehow move you, nothing can.

All Music Guide
It may be saddled with the worst band name in the history of recorded music, but Jazzhole nevertheless manages to attract top-notch collaborators and to produce some of the most fun and gently exciting nu-jazz around. The group is built around a core trio consisting of singer-songwriter Marlon Saunders, guitarist John Pondel and keyboardist Warren Rosenstein, which acts as a musical nucleus around which various helpers and sidepersons revolve in a constantly-shifting pattern. On Circle of the Sun, participants include the fine tabla player Naren Budhakar, bassist Dave Inniss and, most strikingly, the wonderful singer Kaďssa Doumbé, who shines on several tracks but really catches your attention with her rendition of the old Leon Russell song "Superstar", which she sings in her native Duala. (The album's other cover version is a subtly rendered downtempo arrangement of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence"). As for the original material, you could sort of call it mood music — it's all pretty, gently funky and sensuous. But musically it's also all genuinely interesting, which makes it more than just mood music. Highly recommended to jazz snobs and soulies alike.

CD101.9
Sensuous, laid-back urban grooves get a dash of international flavor on Jazzhole's fourth release, Circle of the Sun (Beave). Although the vibe is mellow, this album is anything but sleepy, thanks to the textured arrangements and solid performances by group leaders Marlon Saunders, John Pondel and Warren Rosenstein and a series of guest artists from all over the musical map.

"A Love Thing" sets Saunders' seductive vocals over a gentle groove that's accented with organ and bluesy guitar, while the title track combines bossa nova with Cameroonian singer Kaďssa Doumbč's warm vocals and David Binney's plaintive sax. On "A Little Dress for Mary," Saunders' voice floats tranquilly over an organ-accented groove while layered, tabla-spiced percussion cushion Michelle Lewis' hypnotic vocals on the group's atmospheric rendition of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence." Jazzhole's version of Leon Russell's classic "Superstar," which features Doumbč singing in Duala, her native language, brings the album to a gently pulsing close.

The Jazz Page
Neo-Soul unit Jazzhole continues its transition in sound on their latest recording, Circle of The Sun. Joining the group on this effort are Kaďssa Doumbč, a vocalist from Cameroon, tabla player Naren Budhakar, and percussionist Daniel Sadownick. The talents of these artists add an African music flavor to the project.Core members of the primarily New York-based collective make their return. This includes guitarist John Pondel, keyboard wiz Warren Rosenstein, as well as, vocalists Marlon Saunders and Michelle Lewis. Saunders is as soulful as ever, and featured on about half the albums' cuts, including the opener "Love Philosophy", "Who Do You Love?" and the beautiful, "A Little Dress For Mary." The latter features a solid guitar solo from Pondel. In fact, Pondel and Rosenstein's creation of the soundscapes on the album are outstanding in every sense. In the midst of all this great music is Doumbč, who adds something special to the classic "Superstar", along with the sultry vocal on the title track "Circle of The Sun". She sings both in her native language, Duala. Circle of The Sun is a yet another excellent creation in the evolution of the Jazzhole vibe.

Mish Mash Music
Jazzhole is back with their special blend of groove-a-licious acid jazz. They lay down the message with plenty of soulful singing, a la The Brand New Heavies, leaning lightly on the smooth funk sounds of 70s R&B. The basic formula is familiar, but the sounds are adventurous and new.
The album is most exciting when the songs take a turn into left field, like the psychedelic rhythms of Ndolo or the jazzed-out latin beats of Um Ritmo No Meu Sono. There's also a surprisingly groovy cover of Depeche Mode's Enjoy The Silence which completely changes the essence of the industrial pop original. These creative tangents keep the record interesting from beginning to end, without a dull spot in sight. Turn it on and take a trip.

DMX Music
"Circle of the Sun" is truly a mixture of soundscapes that will make it impossible for someone to pigeonhole into one specific genre. And in a time where everyone likes to find their niche market, it’s great to see a project that opens itself up for the ears of a broad listening audience.

Dusty Groove
Smooth, soulful, and very slinky -- the 4th album by Jazzhole, and their best to date! The hip New York group have really honed their sound nicely -- focusing on their rich talents as a collective, and showcasing the work of a variety of great lead vocalists. Despite the size of the group, the sound's remarkably unified -- and the album comes off like a solo set by an individual, so strong is the collective vision of the work. Loads of great numbers -- with keyboards dancing over gentle beats, and sweetly soulful lyrics providing the finish! Titles include "Circle Of The Sun", "Love Philosophy", "A Little Dress For Mary", "Winter's Meeting", and "Superstar".

Aiding and Abetting
Those familiar with Jazzhole's trippy, mellow soul will delight in these new songs. Those who haven't caught the train yet would do well to buy a ticket. Few can make a sound this sophisticated sound so simply delicious.

Concert Livewire
The band's artistry works best when they're mixing in ambient electronica behind silky vocals, that at times, as on the hip "Ndolo," hints at Sade on a date with Brian Eno, or when they lock into a funky jazz groove and soulful R&B vocals on "Who Do You Love?" Two of the more interesting songs also tackled here are seemingly unlikely candidates for a jazz act to cover. On Leon Russell's "Superstar" newcomer Kaissa Doumbe delivers a sensual vocal delivery in her native Duala tongue for intoxicating results, while Naren Budhakar's tabla along with Doumbe's once-again inviting vocals turn Depeche Mode's "Enjoy The Silence" into a sexy, late night urban mating call.

Jazz Not Jazz
Their sound on Circle Of The Sun is a relaxed inspired mixture of soul, jazz, acid jazz, retro, lounge and latin. Imagine musicians like Maxwell, Sade, Fertile Ground, King Britt, Five Point Plan or Incognito doing a record and you get the idea how good Circle Of The Sun sounds.

With 12 fine songs it's hard to choose a highlight since there's no dull track here and each song has got its own killer potential.
Jazzhole even did a wonderful cover version of Depeche Mode's ballad Enjoy The Silence, by the way a good idea not to go for an obvious choice to do a cover but to cover a song that's certainly more known with a pop audience. Just love Michelle Lewis' voice and the tablas on this song.

Another cover version comes with Leon Russell's Superstar that's sung by Cameroon-native Kaďssa Doumbč in Duala, her mother tongue. Kaďssa is also featured on the title track Circle Of The Son, a slight bossa, and Ndolo, a pleasant midtempo groover.
Marlon Saunders is another excellent vocalist featured on the opener Love Philosophy, a great neo-soul inspired song. His voice can also be heard on Who Do You Love?, another groovy soul/jazz winner here, on the laid-back A Little Dress For Mary and on A Love Thing. The fourth singer on this album is Lucia Iman on the slow and hypnotic Three Days.
Together with the latin influenced instrumental Um Ritmo Meu Sono, that features some fine percussion by Daniel Saddownick, we get one of the first great albums in 2003 that's highly recommendable. Make sure you get a copy soon!

The Celebrity Cafe
Wow! Jazz that hits you. Jazz that moves you. Jazz that is more then a relaxing dinner but something that you can listen to on the treadmill as much as at a relaxing dinner. Jump to track 5, the cover of "Enjoy the Silence" and you'll feel the beat that will keep you going on that treadmill!

Dot Music
Jazzhole first appeared back in the tale-end of the day of "The New" - the name given to the bar room fusion of cool jazz and hip hop beats in the early Nineties. Foremost in the movement were the likes of Guru's Jazzmatazz, Ronnie Jordan and even acts such as Atticca Blues fitted the slot. And while there were stars that grew out of the scene (it, for example, paved the way for Jamiroquai, Galliano and the Talking Loud label and MC Solar) Jazzhole never quite managed to capture support, perhaps because they arrived late and were from the US, rather than, um, London.

But it says something that while many of the scene have slipped into obscurity, Jazzhole have kept-on going, changing their line-up a little along the way and shifting their sound away from hip hop to a soulful jazz.

Their latest album, 'Circle of The Sun', brims with soft shoe shuffle soulful funk and when they're on form they distinctly capture the fresh positive and breezy feel of 'the New' period.

Featuring a clutch of vocalists, the surprise is that most of the tracks hold the album's general feel, even when dub reggae influences appear unexpectedly on 'A Love Thing' or Cameroon born Kaissa Doumbe changes the language on the superb 'Ndolo' and the soft bosa of the title track.

The continuity is derived from the band's unchanging core of songwriting/ production trio of Marlon Saunders, Warren Rosenstiein and John Pondel. And it means that even risky options, such as a tabla meets calypso jazz version of Depeche Mode's 'Enjoy The Silence', sit within the whole.

But where Jazzhole feel most naturally comfortable is in the fairly conventional traditions of their jazz-funk and Latin heritage.
Sadly it appears this is not where they want to be and their attempts at re-inventing themselves as a nu-soul jazz band sees the quality of song writing and vision drop into the Sacharin of 'A Little Dress For Mary' and 'Who Do You Love'.

Still, with critics drawing comparisons between their current sound and Sade, they may see their new incarnation prove prosperous.

For the other CD's, can we leave it as is? The only change that is needed is, for the CD "...and the feeling goes round, the "Blackbeat" review wound up nested in another review - it should be its own separate one.

Life and Soul Promotions
"This is Jazzhole's fourth album released on 1 March 2003 out of Beave Music on Bleecker Street New York – information from info@jazzhole.com – the sound of modern urban soul; a mixture of downtempo grooves and acoustic R'n'B, with hints of ambient electronica and bossa nova. Details from the label below.
This album is just sooo downtempo but it is still very refreshing and vibrant. Real instruments too which is worth saying in the days of having to put together your own CD's. Marlon Saunderrs takes the lead vocals on Love Philosophy, a mellow soulful ballad building into jazzier faster paced more spoken lyric, and a georgeos guitar.

Lucia Iman takes the vocals on Three Days, a sort of laid back latiny trancey spacey thing. On Ndolo we pick up the tempo to as high as this album goes, Kaissa Doumbe from Cameroon takes the vocals. Very percussive in a drumbeat sort of way and wonderful soulful vocals and a hook that ahangs in your head. Great track.

Um Ritmo No Meu Sono – percussion and tabla driven over the Rhodes melodies. Enjoy the silence, again the beats are heavy throughout and this track is no exception, think it's the prominent Tabla, and whilst the beats are heavy the vocals are smooth, this time laid down by Michelle Lewis.

Back to Marlon on the next couple of tracks Who do you love and A little dress for Mary, the first a whispery soulful performance but excelling in the higher regions. The latter is a smooth acoustic weepy mellow ballad with a bit of an old old skool organ, touches of Stevie maybe. Track of the album in my view.

The title track Circle of the sun is Kaissa again with Marlon backing and the smooth sax of Dave Binney, mellow easy and jazzy, evocative of lazy easy Sunday afternoons in the sun. A Love thing is more neo I suppose – neo structed vocals and jazzy. Closing with acoustic and mellow, as mellow as it comes Superstar, and acoustic guitar of John Pondel.

I dunno if this is the type of album that I would normally go for but I have to say that I really liked this, and continue to do so. I have given this one time to build, the initial vibe is strong but there is lits to hear and the more you play the more you like. This little collective really put together a nice tight groove – feel it."

Urban Detour
"Soul-delightful is the best way to describe Jazzhole's 4th outing titled "Circle of the Sun". This New York City based trio, Warren Rosenstein, John Pondel and Marlon Saunders, serves up a buffet of modern soul delights featuring flavours of down-tempo nu-jazz, neo-soul, accoustic r&b and bossa nova. The 12 track album is ideal for chilling out to and is essential lounge music."

for "and the feeling goes round" - "Black Beat" should be the name of another publication - it is in the middle of the "Impact" review....

CRITICS ON MORE JAZZHOLE RECORDS:

Poet's Walk (2006)
Blackburst (2000)
And the Feeling Goes Round (1995)
The Jazzhole (1994)