So' Forest
Yonkers, New York, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | SELF
Music
Press
"Many of the songs here feature rock 'n' roll drum styles, rapping (complete with scratching vinyl) and lyrics, or at least phrases, combined with haunting multi-voice choruses reminiscent of village singing a la Soweto and some very African yells and yips (the Bantu fighter influence), near gospel anthems to slow, new-agey ballads. According to the liner notes, So' Forest sings lead vocals on all songs and is also the main guitarist, songwriter and program. His amazing, soulful voice mixes beautifully with the chorus and instrumentation. The exotic rhythms make for an enjoyable, mostly mellow, listening experience. Thank you, Naxos World, for bringing in this fine recording."
- April Chase - Rambles Magazine
"He brings a fresh perspective to the genre...Most of all, So' Forest's songs and performance style bring Bikutsi into a new era by including a Western feel of R&B and hip hop, as well as a smooth pop sound. The lyrics...carry a lot of depth. These are short stories of life, love and survival."
- Paula E. Kirman - CDNOW
"[So' Forest's] album is a refreshing take on the pop vibe, and the traditional roots of Bikutsi shine through the hipper commercial sheen, which should endear him to a multitude of continent's music aficionados the world over.""
— Phil Medley, Global Rhythm Magazine
- Phil Medley, Global Rhythm Magazine
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
A man, a guitar and a voice: The story of bantu fighters descendant that became an R&B; writer/performer. So' Forest started playing xylophone in a choir at the church at age 12, inspired by a father preacher, a mother singer in the choir and 2 of his senior brothers professional musicians. At age 14, So' composed his first song and joined his brother's band at age 17. With the group Donny Elwood, So' toured more than 5 countries while touring around Africa and other French speaking countries. In 2002, So' Forest signed and recorded a 15-title album with Naxos Of America and traveled to the States where he spent 6 months in Nashville, TN, close to his label based in Franklin, TN. In 2003, So' moved to NYC and took voice lessons in two different schools, which helped him master voice techniques that allowed him to feel comfortable with the new genres he was ready to embrace. After class, So' perfectly had mastered the mix of his native Bikutsi (beat of the ground) and mixed it with modern R&B;, Soul and gospel in a brand new acoustic Urban/R&B;/Soul style. So' Forest moved to Stamford, CT in 2003 and started performing live in local venues and at this date, So' Forest is preparing for his upcoming CD, while looking for labels.
Band Members
Links
