‘Bounce’ is the debut EP by Juxtaposed, a Bengaluru-based band that was formed in March 2024. In consisting of four tracks spanning under 20 minutes, leader-bassist-composer-lyricist Osi Gomango appears to be caught in a musical time warp of the late ‘70s, and intentionally so, as the common thread of sax pervades across all songs, including on an instrumental, giving way to the band’s trademark sound: smooth melodies, suave rhythms, and brassy horns.

The opening track, Moving On, certainly sets the standard for soul, whereas the title-track is an instrumental that takes a brief swi(n)g of bossa nova percussion and bass slapping, supported by a keyboard interlude. Song three is September, amid-tempo track that is repetitive, containing a welcome break of what sounds like a melodica, whereas the concluding track, Evolution, is certainly the pick due to its impressive sax solo, and the welcoming voice of Joel Jacob. The combined sound on theEP is certainly reminiscent of the Philadelphia soul-rooted blast from the past.

In leading Juxtaposed, Osi is joined by vocalists Kezia, Jemimah and Joel, saxophonist Gautam David, drummer Jaime Dudley, keyboardist Joshua Pereira, guitarist Joshua Ashish, and percussionist Kamal Bob Anto.All songs on the EP have been mixed and mastered by Paul Daniel at a studio located in Bengaluru called Virtual Tapes Production.

For those not aware of Osi Gomango’s antecedents, he has been one of the more prolific bass players in the country, being a founding member of popular Kolkata-based rock/pop band Krosswindz, before stepping out in 2014 to pursue a solo musical career by moving to Bengaluru. Osi has also played as a session musician with many artists, including for Aabha Hanjura’s Sufistication.

If you grew up to the disco and funky sounds of the ‘70s, this debut EP from Juxtaposed is certainly worthy but, for this writer, the true joy of listening to the tracks from ‘Bounce’ would be in seeing the band performing them live.

Released on 15^th November 2024

Rating: ***

Reviewed by Parag Kamani

Parag Kamani has been part of the media and entertainment industry across 35 years, having worked for licensors such as Warner Music and EMI/Virgin in music, as well as Warner Bros, Universal Pictures, and Paramount Pictures in the field of films. Parag continues pursuing his passion as a profession.