Martin Zobel & Soulrise - Keep Planting Seeds (Irievibrations Records/Grooveattack)

Above all else 'Keep Planting Seeds' is a tribute to Alexander Körösy, better known as the band's bassist, DubLex who passed away quite suddenly earlier this year after suffering a stroke. For 'Land Of The Free', the predecessor to this album, Martin Zobel & Soulrise already collaborated with Soul Syndicate veteran Fully Fulwood and he was left with the ungrateful task to replace the lamented DubLex on bass. The real ode to DubLex comes in the form of 'Freedom In The Music', one of the most inspiring and intimate (the wonderful flute solo by Jativa) tracks on 'Keep Planting Seeds', in which Martin Zobel sings: "Thinking of you, my brother, you are free, and your soul will never die!". Martin Zobel & Soulrise's slow roots sound is occasionally reminiscent of Groundation and apparently that didn't escape that band's attention, as Groundation keyboardist Marcus Urani makes no less than two guest appearances on 'Keep Planting Seeds'.