Jambase Review SOJA: Born in Babylon Wednesday, September 30, 2009 - 9:00


By: Jake Krolick

Building off of their 2006 breakthrough reggae release, Get Wiser, SOJA's Jacob Hemphill, Bob Jefferson, Ryan Berty, Ken Brownell and Patrick Oshea pour their lion hearts and communally conscious lyrics into a third album, Born In Babylon. Their time touring through Hawaii seemed to have a greater affect on them than just a DVD and some live shows. Their previously punchy drum and bass reggae sounds have hopped a flight to a promised land filled with purple and gold sunsets of smooth, flowing rhythms that shimmer with the effortless drip that is the essence of reggae. These songs work magic on one's psyche by not raising the pulse as much as they expand the mind and lift the shoulders of a society that needs more positive minded storytellers that sooth with their craft instead of destroying.

SOJA had just started to scratch the surface of well-built reggae on their

MicControl: ‘Born In Babylon’ by SOJA Friday, September 25, 2009 - 9:00

Right from the start, it is apparent that SOJA is not the typical, modern Reggae band, and Born In Babylon is not the typical, modern reggae album. If you're not clear on my stance- this is a very, very good thing. Too often in today's reggae music, songs lack advanced structure, and musicianship is overlooked, opting to focus solely on the lyrics. It seems to have become the reggae mantra that 'every song must present lyrics with the purpose of tackling real societal issues'. While reggae is very much about presenting societal issues, they are supposed to be a solution to induce brevity and unity- this is where so much of modern reggae fails. TAKE NOTICE! If there is one thing lacking here... �it is the one quote that has been beaten to death by every two-bit reggae band, which is 'peace, love and unity'. As if this statement alone establishes a reggae group as the voice of a
SOJA play Boulder’s Fox Theatre Sunday, September 20, 2009 - 9:00

SOJA play Boulder's Fox Theatre

SOJA under the lights
Photo: Chip Kalback
SOJA putting on an awesome live show

I never would've thought I'd hear about a reggae group coming out of the D.C. area, but I suppose if Bad Brains can do it then SOJA have a good chance at seeing the same success Bad Brains did. SOJA, Soldiers Of Jah Army, formed around '97, but I personally didn't hear of them until their song 'You Don't Know Me' Level 1 Productions' ski flick, REALTIME. Since then I've been a fan of the group and have had the pleasure of seeing them perform live twice now. They're currently touring in support of their new album, Born In Babylon, and recently they just played in Boulder, CO at concert powerhouse Fox Theatre. Their live shows are really what make them stand out to me, and apparently the rest of the sold out crowd who got to see them do what they do best. Check the photo gallery to see what you missed,

Review: SOJA show strikes symphonic gold Thursday, September 17, 2009 - 9:32

Review: SOJA show strikes symphonic gold

D.C. band comes to the Fox

By Maria DiManna on September 17, 2009

Lead singer and guitarist for SOJA, Jacob Hemphill, performs at the Fox Theatre Tuesday night. (CU Independent/Molly Maher)

Lead singer and guitarist for SOJA, Jacob Hemphill, performs at the Fox Theatre Tuesday night. (CU Independent/Molly Maher)

Soldiers of Jah Army, commonly known as SOJA, is a reggae band out of Washington D.C. famous for their powerful live performances.

The band has been together for 12 years, and in that time has grown from a local phenomenon to having huge followings internationally. SOJA’s latest album, “Born in Babylon,” was released Aug. 25.

SOJA consists of Kenneth Brownell (percussion), Bobby Lee (bass/vocals) and Jacob Hemphill (guitar/vocals), Patrick O’Shea (keys), and Ryan Berty (drums).

SOJA creates intricate music but maintains a level of improvisation on stage, making their live shows so powerful. The band has been together for the last twelve years.

“We’re

SOJA - A new Brand of Reggae Sunday, September 13, 2009 - 9:00

SOJA - A new Brand of Reggae

SOJA in Denver

May 8, 2009  Denver, Co

SOJA’s music and energetic stage shows speaks for itself.  Brimming with well founded confidence, and backing it with a set filled with infectious energy, SOJA provided a glimpse into their promising future, and gave credence to their current success, as they both promoted their pending release, “Born in Babylon,” and supported their 2008 release “Stars and Stripes” at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver  this past weekend.

Although the majority of SOJA inspiration comes from the offbeat of Reggae, inflections of rock, funk and hip hop also combine to create a dynamic sound which has become all their own.   Dancing around various styles while keeping true to their reggae roots, SOJA continues to give evidence to the critical acclaim that has followed them the past few years.

“I rarely plan the show ahead of

SOJA hits the stage at DubFest 2009 Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 6:50

SOJA hits the stage at DubFest 2009

Young Circle, Hollywood

 

By James W. Carras South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Their music features an evolving message.

They have the familiar reggae feel with a dash of Latin flavor.

They have more than seven members in the band, yet they play as one entity.

SOJA, Soldiers of Jah Army, is the new face of Reggae music in America.

Based in Arlington, Va., SOJA has music that combines reggae, rock and even Hispanic music.

Their music gave me the sense that SOJA is a reggae cousin of the

Message still matters for reggae band SOJA Wednesday, September 09, 2009 - 9:00

Message still matters for reggae band SOJA

http://www.reporterherald.com/

Loveland Reporter-Herald When Jacob Hemphill was younger, he knew he would do something great with his life, along with his closest friends, of course. Hemphill has accomplished his dream as a talented vocalist and guitarist with his Washington, D.C.-based band, SOJA, which will perform Sunday, May 10, at Hodi’s Half Note in Fort Collins.

Hemphill is living the idealized rock ’n’ roll fantasy along with longtime friends and band members Bob Jefferson, who plays bass and also sings lead vocals, percussionist Ken Brownell, drummer Ryan Berty and keyboardist Patrick O’Shea.

“We’re trying to get reggae back in the mainstream, reggae how it used to be when the message mattered,” said Hemphill.

With a sound reminiscent of Bob Marley meets Sublime and a bit of rock ’n’ roll to boot, SOJA

CD Review: Born in Babylon Monday, September 07, 2009 - 8:19

CD Review: Born in Babylon

SOJA�s Third Album Delivers Solid Work

� Melissa Kucirek

�
Washington, DC-bred reggae rock band, SOJA, third release Born in Babylon is a positive collection of emotive lyrics and multi-faceted songs.�

Immediately into the first song of Born in Babylon, it�s evident that the musicianship and art form from SOJA is beyond the run-of-the-mill reggae sound. SOJA takes reggae�s foundation � of solid percussion and cadence�and transforms its sound to a collection of American-rock sounding pieces.

SOJA is a band with a strong foundation of friendship and artists; as a listener it�s obvious to hear that the tightness of this band is toned and still evolving. At times lyrics on the album can be simplistic, but as in a pop song, they become