Crafting an original soundscape is no easy feat. Yet with a natural knack for genre fusion, Benji and the Saltwater Sound System create something truly unique on debut EP Coming Up for Water. With their brand of folk, reggae and jazz in tow, this group will have you dancing, singing and swinging all at the same time.
Since their formation just over a year ago, Benji and the Saltwater Sound System have hit the shore running. Maturing like a fine wine, the outfit has already graced the stages of Peak Festival, Palm Creek Folk Festival, the National Folk Festival, and Summer Sounds.
Prepare to surface with Benji and the Saltwater Sound System; the coastal outfit dishing up refreshingly vibrant tracks left, right and centre.
Coming Up for Water surfaces from oodles of influences. Front man Ben Fowler recently spent a year living in the Solomon Islands, so the mixture of pacific flavours within their music then comes as no surprise. Sprinkle in some catchy melodies and you’ve got yourself a banger.
On opening track Top Bunk Trait, we’re introduced to the insatiable funk-fest that is to follow. Treadmill roars with its sultry saxophone, while Fortune Ate flows with a wistful upbeat lyrics: “A fortune teller. Can’t you tell that I’ll read your future in my whisky glass.”
In Trying, we’re treated to a deeper tone that retains sizzling jazz touches. Jokes On Us brings a softer touch to the record with delicate vocals, sitting perfectly amongst the signature reggae vibes.
Benji and the Saltwater Sound System skilfully blur the lines between genre, sound and style. Their latest record bursts at the seams with a dynamic flavour, making for one damn fine debut.
Coming Up For Water is out June 15th.
Benji and the Saltwater Sound System are launching Coming Up For Water across two live dates. Grab the details below:
June 8 to June 11 – Palm Creek Folk Festival, Townsville – Details
June 16 – The Tea Club, Nowra – Details
