Soul-D-Out UK

I had a fantastic surprise this weekend! I got treated to a wonderful West-Indian meal at Cottons Restaurant and Bar (Islington Branch). Very good value for money, seeing as I was pop-belly, full-of-meat- full afterwards, coz you know me, I need some something dead on my plate to make me feel like I've eaten, I mean, I'm not a rabbit! lol

Focus of this post: Soul-D-Out at Rhum Jun Bar, Angel.

Every second Saturday of the month Rhum bar presents this small bar with the welcoming sound of acoustic and original UK music. NO, not just "neo-soul"

The venue it's self is pleasant, but also selective in it's simplicity. The lighting was just enough to set the tone of the night, intimate table spaces and comfortable sofas. The bar is quite small, but Happy Hour always makes up for it!

The house bands at these events are always talented and makes you appreciate the creative process behind the piece and blahblahblah.. ANYWAY> The acts:-

Atlanta Smith

Hailing from Pecknarm and bringing a pleasant start to the evening. As harsh as it sounds, it was just that, I wouldn't go out and pay for background music. However she did have a song called Closer, which I can't find on YouTube, which had a Black Coffe- soulful-house sound to it. Certified fan, of that track.

Talking of fans, the room seemed to become increasingly excited about Ayisha Renne. Now, aside from her undeniable upkeep and shoicidal footwear, this girl had a voice. I know I say this too often, but her voice had a very earth-toned depth to it, which was highlighted in her cover of Cam'ron song, Daydreamin'. She's been about for a hot minute now, bringing and leaving with a lot of the crowd, more fool them coz they missed, who I believe was the highlight of all acts. No! Not Lifford that sung Please Dont Turn Me On with Artful Dodger.

No. no *wags finger*

IN'SGHT

The duo graduates from the BRIT school gave the vocal performance of the night - HANDS DOWN.

Their harmonies created timeless and emotive melodies that the Blind Recognition house band was able to accentuate with ease. Performing original material, their combination of R&B, soul,

acoustic and commercial pop.They also covered Adele's Someone Like You and gave it a soulful and harmonic sound. These guys harmonies give me goosebumps.

They're no BoyzIIMen or N Sync, but this is the best harmonies i've heard as far as duos go.

But don't take my word for it, see for yourself....

So, I'm gonna check out their mixtape on this site

And a give you a cover, coz i'm nice like that ;)
(But the kitchen... Don't blame me!)

Dwele @ Jazz Cafe 11/4/2011

As you know, I can't stay in my house every week! I need to find places to go! So after numerous BBM broadcast messages, I found myself at the last night of Dwele's European Tour! Yay me!

To be honest, i'm not a Dwele enthusiast, as I think all of his ishk sounds very similar and almost monotonous, but he did rock the crowd!

I didn't arrive early enough to catch the opening act, because, well... I couldn't be bothered! I got there just in time to catch the Grammy nominated star hit the stage... in the same outfit he wore the show promotion material! Haha!

I don't think he cared though, as he strutted through the crowd and onto the stage to Kayne West's Power.
After his second entrance, as he was not impressed with his first reception, he made sure that he conversed with the crowd, asked them their name, serenaded a lil'!

Admittedly, as good as he was, I was disappointed that he didn't perform Travellin' Girl or Weekend Love, because, to me, they were turning points in his career. Nonetheless, I was enthused by the energy that he and his band acquired throughout the show. His key player has to be the most eccentric, dread wearing and excitable keyboard player I have ever experienced in my 5 years of music journalism! I am so sure than if that keyboard was not attached to the stand, he would have been doing backflips and playing upside down. I'm sure I got a whiff of dread in my eye, and I was by the back, no need for HD!

He rocked the mic with favourites, I Think I Love You, Cheating and Find a Way. But also reminded us of what brought us to the venue in the first place. Namely in the acoustic arrangements in my personal favourite Open Your Eyes (original by Bobby Cadwell, and also used for the hook in Common's The Light), and his tributes to Frankie Beverly and the late Nate Dogg.

He also performed tracks from his current album W.ANTS. W.ORLD. W.OMEN (W.W.W). Namely his album consisting of his alter ego his world documenting and his love for Women, because we can't forget that "baby making, bubble bath and audio hallmark card type of music."

Now, you know me - I can't not get my piece in! In closing the show, he swooned through the audience, serenading the ladies. Naturally, he came in my path, and I managed to give Dwele a little dance while he performed What's Not To Love.

It wasn't as bad as the Chris Brown Fiasco in 2008, but let's not go there!