ollowing in the wake of Sugarlicks first compilation Urban Soul Pollution, comes Pacific Soul Warriors -- sans the high-profile line-up that the first compilation featured. This time the album focuses more on the soulful end of the spectrum, with downtrodden tales of heartache permeating the album and vocals that verge on gospel- at times.


Nat Rose opens up with "Mana Wahine" -- an excellent acoustic number, assisted by the percussion skills of Khuja Lounge regular Levani Vosasi providing firm congo backing. Sung in Maori, Nat shows the way with a smooth lead vocal and careful backing – complemented by some fine lead guitar work. Brother J’s "Roby Rose" starts sharply, J’s vocals cutting in over horn backing reminiscent of Air’s "You make it Easy" and joined by a mellow melodica mid-song – very tasty.


Tony Battle provides the albums first Hip-Hop track, with Zimbabwean rapper Nemo dropping slick vocals over a mellow backing, which features layered synth and Spanish-guitar. The Hip-Hop is continued with D Kamali’s "Decide", featuring vocal coloring from Lole (who also featured on the first album). This is fresh pacific-styled Hip-Hop, finding a voice in a market dominated by an unnecessary American influence.


This Information is something of a new super-group on the New Zealand soul scene – featuring the unmistakable keys of Jazz legend Mark de Clive Lowe, and formed around defunct Christchurch funk outfit Solaa. Needless to say, the track grooves with immense ease. Johnny Lawrence’s bass punctuates a downright funk explosion – I look forward to hearing more material from this happy pairing. Things take a step back towards the mellow with One Million Dallors’ "Cashmeruffle". Tasteful trumpet rides a bed of bass-heavy mellow groove as Richie’s vocals thicken up the middle. Whimsical backing vocals only add to the warm and cosy feeling this song gives me.


Fat Freddy’s Drops vocalist supreme Dallas lays down his own track with the funky "The Garden", which was recorded (here in a raw, mellow form) back before his debut album came out. The funk that’s since followed is quite evident on this simple, open, and gorgeously soulful number. Ghost Tones track "God Willing" has received a fair deal of radio-play here in New Zealand – and it’s obvious why. One of the better dance numbers on the album with some tricky mellow vibes and a synth riff that verges on ear candy – the track simply sizzles. The later half of the track is highlighted by a fluent, free-flowing sax lick that completes an already great song.


More mellow keys open up Complicated Souls "Je Foreste" before an unwanted synth bassline disturbs the play. All things are restored to their glorious mellow peak once those delightful keys cut back in – Kaidi Tatham makes a real impression on the Rhodes here. Keith Ballantyne’s performance as Spider is given the smooth dub run-over by Ekadek in the chilling "Money" to indecisive results. The bass crackles and rolls along nicely, but the track fails to connect as whole.


Moss’ "A Place to Stay" brings things back to a more simple formula: a fine acoustic guitar piece with shuffling percussion and breathy vocals make for a fine love-song. Finally Morula’s "Concyclic" closes the album on a jazzy note– highlighted by spoken dialect describing the need and inspiration of music within the New Zealand and Polynesian cultures. Mourning Sax and the haunting sound of (traditional Maori wind-instrument) koauau sets the vibe over a flowing piano piece.


Though not quite reaching the highs of the first compilation, Pacific Soul Warriors is nonetheless a more solid, flowing affair. It's an organic compilation and seems to find good form throughout with a fine collection of sad and yearning Soul numbers. If Sugarlicks keeps releasing albums of this quality, they’ll be a noticeable force in the world soul-music scene.