SoulParlor is the German-based collective of deejay/producers Frank Jensen, Frank Lotz, and Tobias Muller. They have been remixing and releasing original material since 2002. Evoluzion (Noiz U Love backwards) is their second full length album, and their first on Tokyo Dawn. Given how SoulParlor mix together elements of house, R&B, funk, and hip hop, it seems like a good fit for all involved.

Their ability to find a groove that will make you want to crank up the stereo and dance is what will hit you from the moment you start the album. All the subtle nuances and the ability to blur genres together is what will come through on repeated listens. At times I’ll be reminded of the R&B/Funk of Diamonds and Pearls-era Prince or Brand New Heavies, only to have them switch it up and hit you with a New School hip hop track like “Bang Illy” with Oddisee. I like to think that it’s a reflection of being deejays for as long as they have that they are able to bring all these artists and styles together into a coherent album. With eleven different guest artists over the course of thirteen tracks, the album has the potential of sounding cluttered or unfocused, but the steady hands of SoulParlor never let that happen. The only time I feel like the album really falters is on “Sex Planet,” which doesn’t quite deliver on the promise of the title, and doesn’t sound quite as inspired as the rest of the album. The remixes added to the end as bonus tracks are individually good, but don’t quite blend in with the rest of the album, leaning heavily on house beats. It’s not the worst, but I think it might have made more sense as a separate remix EP.

As a lover of funk and hip hop, SoulParlor is right up my alley. They have given us a musically diverse collection of songs that are sure to get people on the dance floor. I know they’ll be my secret weapon the next time I’m deejaying a set.