Last weekend heralded a welcome return to Jazz FM's Love Supreme Festival, following the unforgettable experience I had at the inaugural festival last year. I didn't think it could get any better. I was wrong.
Read moreAVERY*SUNSHINE - ISLINGTON ASSEMBLY HALL, LONDON, 20 JUNE 2014
Upper Street, London, N1 didn't feel quite as exuberant last Friday night. England's premature exit from the World Cup, thanks to Italy's defeat, had hit the nation hard and dark clouds seemed to be forming.
Thankfully there was Sunshine on the horizon...
Last Friday I had the pleasure of reviewing Avery*Sunshine, supported by Anoushka Lucas, on behalf of Jazz FM. The gig was held at Islington Assembly Hall, a stunning Grade II listed venue in the heart of North London that has retained much of its original architectural detail and Art Deco interior, that everyone must visit at least once in their life. I insist.
With a perfect view of the magnificent stage, reserved tables with comfy seating and a disco ball that created a coruscating kaleidoscope of light, this was a classy way to hear live music after a week in the big smoke.
The evening began with British jazz singer Anoushka Lucas, deserved winner of the Love Supreme Discovery Competition in 2013. She plopped herself down at the keyboard and with no other introduction needed than a cheerful 'hello' and a beaming smile, she sang Daydreams. Anoushka's voice is beautifully raw; it can be both powerful and velvety and her impressive set was eclectic. Far From Here recounted holiday romances and conjured up images of balmy nights and impulse kissing while Get Up was soulful and uplifting and a solid delivery was met with appreciative head nodding from the crowd. Her solo piano playing gave the illusion of a big band when in reality it was just her, supported by Ben Reed on drums and Rick Biddulph on guitar.
As well as possessing a voice of great depth and quality, Anoushka is an accomplished guitar player and her beautiful strumming and makeshift drum beat ensured that Brixton Hill was a stand-out track for me. A sultry love letter to where she used to live, she welcomes the change in summer season and celebrates the sunrise on Brixton Hill (with no sirens today). Her cool London inflection and catchy lyrics reminded me a little of a jazzy Kate Nash and she is instantly likeable. Something About You is, by her own admission, something a bit sexier and was intoxicating. With her closing track, The Easiest Time, she seamlessly transitioned a low-tempo introduction into an upbeat track and the crowd were buzzing. Listening to Anoushka for the first time had the same impact on me as hearing Andreya Triana at last year's Love Supreme Festival - it gave me an appetite to hunt down her music and discover more.
A hugely important UK talent and I look forward to tracking her rise to stardom.
Jazz FM's Chris Philips popped up on stage to introduce the main act and invited us to give a London re-welcome to Avery*Sunshine; confirming there was no auto-tune to be had here, just real music. Avery was in town for the UK launch for her second studio album The Sun Room and we were promised a night of soul, jazz and gospel.
For those unfortunate souls who don't yet have some Avery in their life, she is a singer / songwriter / pianist with a powerhouse gospel-trained voice and a style that beautifully blends soul, jazz, gospel and R&B. Before releasing her self-titled debut album in 2010, she had already built an impressive musical career as a choir leader, a vocalist for Paramount Pictures' The Fighting Temptations and a choral director for the theatrical production of Dreamgirls among other great things.
Avery was as beautiful in the flesh as she is in pictures, glowing in a bright lemon top and dazzling drop earrings, and backed by possibly the most well turned out band I have ever seen in white shirt / black tie / black glasses combo. She launched straight into the infectiously catchy I Got Sunshine and crowd-participation was encouraged from the outset as she sat centre stage at the keyboard and asked us to identify whether our voice type was soprano, alto, tenor or bass and partake accordingly. Aided by a very strong double rum and coke (thanks, friendly bar staff), I convinced myself I was an alto. Fortunately my flat tones were drowned out by the most harmonious, impressive-sounding crowd I have been part of - and a very good job too.
With her organic and soulful voice and adept keyboard skills, All in My Head cleverly transitioned into Anita Baker's gorgeous Sweet Love and this was met with rapturous applause from the audience. She performed tracks from 2010's Avery*Sunshine album including Pinin' and the fact she was having a ball was clearly visible.
2014's The Sun Room was produced by writer and classically trained guitarist Dana 'Big Dane' Johnson, who also wrote all tracks with Avery, and our very own Jean Paul 'Bluey' Maunick of Incognito / Citrus Sun fame produced all horn sessions. We were privileged to hear tracks from this album for the first time with her perfectly correlated band - Johnson on guitar, Orefo Orakwue on bass and Wesley Joseph on drums.
Nothing to Something is an exquisite ballad about finding love again that was sophisticated and sultry and with Call My Name (introduced with a rally cry of 'NORTH LONDON!) she talked about how much work it takes to be in love - reminding us to be nice to each other, conversational not confrontational. We all squeezed our partners hands a little bit firmer here.
On stage, Avery is funny, sweet and self-depreciating, and she lays bare her soul with a set peppered with motivational talks and heart-to-hearts. 'Find that thing you love passionately!' and 'No one should tell you how to fulfil your dream and don't let voices on the outside be louder than the ones on the inside!' she commanded and it was impossible not to feel compelled and motivated as she lifted us out of our seats with the rocket power of the her voice. The cover of Maroon 5's Sunday Morning had a latino-samba feel and it was one of the best covers I have ever heard showcasing a sparkling crystal-clear voice.
You know when you discover a great new artist or buy a new album and it takes a good few listens before the tracks distinguish themselves from each other? Absolutely not needed with this lady. For me, each track was unique and instantly likeable particularly Ugly Part Of Me and Safe In His Arms which heralded a gospel flavour to the set. Chris Philips returned to help dish out instruments to the crowd to form Avery's percussionists. I was again in awe of such a talented bunch of people - thank goodness I didn't let my excitement get the best of me and resisted the urge to dash up to the stage to shake a tambourine. Disastrous.
(Love) Won't You Try was a funky ode to Al Green and we gave the band a much deserved hand. With Time to Shine she invited us to clap, smile and take our shoes off and I honestly felt so relaxed and caught up in her luminosity I would have happily flung them off and lay on my seat - it was like being at home. The band departed leaving just Avery playing with her new mates, us the crowd, and only her hand clapping, the piano and us singing 'Shine' could be heard echoing powerfully through the Hall.
A standing ovation was a given - it would have been a travesty if she didn't return for an encore. She did, and what an encore it was. An Aretha / Michael / Luther medley was outrageously brilliant. She masterfully orchestrated sections of the crowd to sing rounds of 'When my baby calls, gotta jump to it' from Aretha Franklin's Jump To It (which I have played on repeat ever since), 'Never too much' from Luther Vandross' Never Too Much and 'Rock with you (All night), Dance you into day' from Michael Jackson's Rock With You (which sounded just like the Jazzy Jeff's Rock With You Mix ). Genius.
Stevie Wonder's All I Do formed part of the encore and everyone did the Soul Clap resoundingly, clapping on the eighth note of the beat, and Avery finished triumphantly with Carole King's You've Got a Friend with everyone singing heartily in the rows.
At the end I was fortunate enough to meet Avery*Sunshine and she was even more beautiful in the flesh. Unfortunately I trod on Big Dane's foot in all the excitement but he was incredibly gracious and super cool, phew. Avery complimented my husband Alex's hair and he grinned from ear to ear all the way home and who could blame him. I too found myself smiling broadly - she performed with such irrepressible power and star quality that it will be impossible to forget the first time I saw her perform in this beautiful venue.
As for the football? There's always 2018. For now, I've got Sunshine on my mind.
Anoushka Lucas
Avery*Sunshine
Website
Jazz FM
Coachella - Early festival fashion forecast
The desert dust may have settled, but with UK festival season warming up nicely on the sidelines … I still have Coachella on my mind
Coachella, the Valley Music and Arts festival held annually in the Colorado desert, informs my festival fashion choices.
Paying close attention to what the cool girls and boys are wearing at Coachella is the equivalent of an early fashion forecast - the heads up for what's on the style horizon, something to chew over for a few weeks and inspiration for your own custom-built festival wardrobe.
Jazz FM's Love Supreme Festival is first up on my summer festival programme. Described by The Guardian as 'the British jazz world’s Glastonbury', Love Supreme combines a class jazz, funk, soul, fusion and blues bill with a modern, green field boutique experience and top class DJs. This year's line up includes De La Soul, Gregory Porter, Soul II Soul and Incognito and if last year's inaugural festival is anything to go by then my confident prediction is that it will be epic. Cannot. Wait.
Festivals have many awesome components. Essentially, amazing live music you can dance to without abandon, singing in cheery unison with the crowd. Cold beer and cider in plastic cups that goes down just a little too easily. Quite good food, especially with veggie and street food options. Mates you know and love and new weekend mates you make.
For me, without question though, Festivals are about FASHION. A fantastic platform to express yourself and experiment with new looks - after all, it's a festival, not work, and you have sartorial free rein. For the past few years I have meticulously researched, planned and plotted my festival outfits, accessories and makeup weeks in advance. Sometimes, it's worked. Other times, I've looked like a plonker and I'll spare you the photos. But, it's intrinsic and I take influence from a variety of sources: Kate Moss, Stevie Nicks, Grace Potter, Kate Bosworth and Solange to name a few.
Here's what I learnt from Coachella this year...
1. Denim cut offs and white look good together, especially with a print belt. Probably best for the beginning of the day though, and take a stylish layer for warmth and spillage-cover up later on when the sun goes down. We do not live in the desert and we'll have a beer rather than a water, thanks.
2. Any type of scuffed boot - be it Cowboy or Chunky Lace Up - is great and guaranteed mud / water / stamped-on-foot proof. However, utilitarian practical flats, chunky 'fuglies' and sliders have emerged as a covetable alternative. If it's good enough for my other favourite Kate then I'm willing to give it a try.
3. Tartan is not going anywhere soon and Jared Leto wears it well, casually pared with ombre hair and clash-print trousers. Gingham is summer's alternative to tartan and looks particularly good in sugary shades of lilac and pink or vibrant red. A roughed up battered leather jacket and boots will help it avoid looking too saccharine or that you're off to see the wizard.
4. 90s-cool is showing no signs of abating which is music to my ears. Chokers and vintage T-shirts make interesting additions to your festival wardrobe. See Francis Bean looking effortlessly cool circa 1993.
5. Fringed leather whether in jacket or bag form looks great with shorts, dresses and bared legs. Reference: Poppy Delevingne at her envy-inducing hen do at Coachella (oh to be part of the #Popchella crew) or my favourite Kate in her Kate Moss x Topshop version.
6. Coordinated top and bottom sets provide a great alternative to the trusted festival dress or playsuit. It is a look I have coveted for months and is fun and stylish. What Would Beyonce Do? She'd wear a matching top and bottom set from Topshop Boutique, of course.
7. Let your inner tomboy loose in understated sports chic. Possibly my favourite look to emerge from this year's Coachella and channelled effortlessly by Zoe Kravitz. It looks chic, understated and insouciant. You: 'oh, this old thing?' Reality: spending hours deciding exactly which shade, length and fit of tank dress will work with those boots. They'll never know.
8. Kimono coats made an appearance. Floaty, fringed and printed they look great with denim or clashed with a print. Helpfully, they can be squished into a bag and popped on later when it gets a bit nippy. I'm still partial to a slogan sweatshirt but may just dabble on one of the festival nights to mix things up a bit.
9. White lace looks pretty lovely, and accessorised with simple jewellery is uncomplicated but still striking. Same rules apply, keep it interesting with sliders (see 2), leather (see 5.) and plenty of jewellery.
10. Never ever underestimate the power of a great dress. Especially one with an unusual print, that covers you up tastefully but still makes heads turn. Vintage is always a winner as there's less chance of outfit clash.
So, ladies, the fashion forecast is looking very fine indeed at this stage.
Coachella provides a great source of inspiration, a covetable look-book and a chance to see what the cool Californians are wearing. Now it's time to turn what you've seen on its head...English-style.
Good luck with your research.
Jazz FM's Love Supreme Festival takes place from 4-6 July 2014 at Glynde Place in Sussex.
Website
Citrus Sun - Under The Bridge, London, 17 April 2014
Oh, I do love a pre-Bank Holiday gig.
Easter's right up there as my favourite Bank Holiday weekend ever.
It's not as gluttonous as Christmas, bar the odd Creme Egg or two (ten). Not as pressurised as the last-hurrah-before-winter August one that forces you grudgingly outside despite it being a bit nippy, and more fun than so-so May. It's an extended break packed full of family and friends, with added chocolate.
Anyway, I digress. Gig.
Live music on a Thursday, especially one preceding a few days off work, is my new favourite thing and Citrus Sun performing at Under the Bridge proved to be the perfect opener to the Easter celebrations.
For those who need acquainting, Citrus Sun are an eight-piece band founded by Incognito's Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick, featuring renowned guitarist Jim Mullen and Incognito's very own rhythm section. Their music is contemporary jazz-based, the sound described by Bluey as "more sparse, as it features the sole trumpet reminiscent of the late Donald Byrd, and there is a cool Latin jazz flavour on some of the cuts”.
Under the Bridge is a great little venue tucked discreetly beneath Stamford Bridge, with a great sound system for amplified soul and framed photos of eminent musicians lining the walls. Jazz FM's Jeff Young warmed up effortlessly and got the cheerful crowd in the mood as they milled in and took their positions.
Bluey, his usual affable and very cool self, introduced the opening act, Francisco Sales, by describing his sound as "of real beauty". The young musician/composer who perched on his stool shyly, tuned his guitar and truly did produce a sound of real beauty; a clear, smooth acoustic tone. With tracks from his debut album available soon, he moved seamlessly between emphatic strumming and a more ethereal, mellow sound, using a loop pedal to great effect. One to watch.
With everyone suitably warmed up and refreshed (thanks easy-access bar), Citrus Sun took the stage. Bluey spoke of the 'legend' Jim Mullen - giant of British fusion jazz and jazz funk - and that the project was born of his love of Mullen's music and his desire to be part of a band with him. He introduced Mullen, Valerie Etienne (Jamiroquai) on vocals and the Incognito rhythm section and with that the show had begun.
This was the launch for Citrus Sun's sophomore and largely instrumental album, People of Tomorrow (Dome Records), and the first song was the opening track from the album, Mais Una Vez (One More Time) with a light and breezy jazzanova feel. What's Going On showcased a rich, beautiful vocal from Etienne, as did a cover of the late Terry Callier's What Colour is Love, with whom Bluey worked with as a producer on several tracks and Mullen toured and recorded with. In my humble opinion, going to a Jazz FM gig is a musical education for the unacquainted and my mind is always opened.
The mid-tempo, latin-jazz feel was unabashedly evocative of Incognito, which Bluey acknowledges in saying that "at times it is obvious that this is the Incognito rhythm section and for that we make no excuses, instead celebrating the fact that this is a new project by the same band with me at the helm”. Cooking with Walter (reportedly inspired by Breaking Bad - for the fans) really got the crowd dancing and funked up the atmosphere. You know it is a good night when even the security staff are dancing, giving it some to Let My Feelings Show, from Bluey's 2013 debut solo album Leap of Faith, co-written with Richard Bull.
Boasting velvety vocals from Bluey and Etienne, distinctive thumbing guitars from the legendary Mullen (readers of this blog will know how cool I think Jim is, after having seen him play alongside Mario Biondi and Guida de Palma and Jazzinho) and the sole trumpet from Dominic Glover, Citrus Sun's set was always going to be tight and consistent, with their trademark fusion blend that straddles soul and groove. On stage, the band were exuberant; Matt Cooper nearly bounced of his keyboard stool and everyone was smiling and dancing in sunny delight.
The Donald Byrd tribute section was undeniably a highlight, and although the Citrus Sun album tracks definitely held their own, this was epic. Etienne's voice was perfection on Wind Parade and Think Twice was effortlessly delivered with added crowd-participation on the 'I really love you, you know I do' lyric. Change (Makes You Want To Hustle) and Love Has Come Around were skilfully delivered. Bluey admitted that The Mizell Brothers production is like the bible for Incognito, and with their spirited version of (Falling' Like) Dominoes it was clear the band live and breathe music.
Sadly, all great things have to come to an end. Bluey ended the night emphatically by thanking '"all the radio stations that play tunes like that, and Jazz FM for being able to celebrate with you. Long may you play jazz, soul and funk!" and bowed to his adoring crowd, before Citrus Sun closed the gig with the album's self-titled track People of Tomorrow. It was a triumphant end.
This was a zingy, uplifting gig and as I left there was a palpable sense of 'YES! IT'S BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND!' and 'WOO HOO, NO WORK TOMORROW!' and 'HURRAH, I CAN EAT UNLIMITED EASTER EGGS!' in the air. Mostly though, it was the cool, sophisticated music that got us all in the mood, ready to celebrate and think of warmer weather and good, good times.
In the words of Bluey, "The Citrus Sun is rising - come catch the sunshine!".
Now, who could ever turn that offer down?
The full line-up of Citrus Sun is Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick (guitar and vocals), Jim Mullen (guitar), Valerie Etienne (vocals), together with Incognito members Matt Cooper (keyboards), Francis Hylton (bass), Francesco Mendolia (drums), Joao Caetano (percussion) and Dominic Glover (trumpet).
Dome Records
Citrus Sun - People of Tomorrow is available via the Jazz FM shop
Benjamin Clementine
The future sound of London” – Evening Standard
“Sombre piano balladry that goes straight for the gut” – DIY Magazine
“yearning vocals and trembling piano” – Q
Many fine things have emerged from Crystal Palace, South East London, my childhood urban playground and local town to my family home.
- A football team with a cracking little ground and fiercely loyal fans
- A huge, great verdant park with dinosaurs, a National Sports Centre and a maze, oh my
- Domali, a cool café serving white hot chocolate and the legendary hangover slayer that is 'BCM' - Beans, Cheese, Marmite on door stop toast.
- A Festival, a Food Market, and some cracking great pubs.
To name but a few. Crystal Palace is having a moment thanks in part to a wallop of gentrification and a fantastic community, and long may it continue.
So I was very pleased to read Rosamund Urwin's recent feature in the Evening Standard 'The Fourteen for 2014' and see Crystal Palace-born musician Benjamin Clementine take pride of place at No. 10. I was intrigued, I had to find out more - just who was this talented young man and what did his music sound like?
This is what I discovered, and heard.
Benjamin Clementine left Edmonton, North London at the age of 20 years old to move to Paris and his apologue is the stuff that modern dreams are made of. Reports cite that he subsequently fell out with his family, when his money ran out he slept rough and then he began a capella busking inside the Metro at Place de Clichy station.
For the next two years he performed daily to numerous lucky Parisian commuters, and made enough money to seek lodgings in a hostel, followed by a room of his own. Now, at the age of 25 years old, Benjamin is bringing his talents and musical offering back to London; his native home, and if from what we've heard so far is anything to go by; well, lucky us.
His voice is deep and soulful, his lyrics poetic and melancholic. You can only imagine how it must have felt to listen to that voice live as you went about your daily commute, as simply listening on Spotify is impactful enough.
Cornerstone is the title track from Benjamin's debut EP of the same name, available now to buy on iTunes but has an official UK release in January 2014. It contains three beautiful songs - Cornerstone, I Won't Complain and London and all worth a listen.
His live gigs are said to be informal, close up and raw. He delivered a memorable performance on Later… with Jools Holland in October 2013 and impressed host Sir Paul McCartney, before two sold-out debut headline London shows at The Purcell Room, Southbank Centre in December 2013.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJJNl1p-PGA&w=560&h=315]
I wish Benjamin the best of luck and hope 2014 is his year.
https://twitter.com/BenjClementine
https://www.facebook.com/benjaminclementine
http://www.indieshuffle.com/benjamin-clementine-i-wont-complain/
http://pigeonsandplanes.com/2013/10/benjamin-clementine-cornerstone/
Love Supreme Festival, Glynde Place, 5-7 July 2013
This weekend me and Mr Material Whirl went to the inaugural Love Supreme Festival, Jazz FM's first foray into the festival scene with a boutique, greenfield experience. And what a debut it was. Set in the idyllic grounds of Glynde Place in East Sussex and sheltered comfortably by the glorious Sussex Downs, even the perfect weather couldn't top the impressive world-class bill that featured Gregory Porter, Chic, Soweto Kinch and Jools Holland to name a few. Which I will, later.
Friday night began very nicely with DJs Chris Philips and Jeff Young in The Arena with Jazz FM's now legendary club event Funky Sensation - we all had a bit of a dance to classic jazz, funk, disco and soul and looked giddily ahead to two days of music and festival capers. Pru Fiddy, who took the reins from Jeff, knew where we were coming from - she looked like she was absolutely loving it. A slight mix up with the festival shuttle bus on our part (err, there wasn't one until Saturday) meant a possible stranded-in-Glynde-situation but we carried on dancing regardless and jumped in a late taxi back to Brighton with some other poor souls who hadn't planned properly either. No mind, we were tipsy and happy and the music was already working its magic.
Festival proceedings were kicked off good and proper on Saturday as the sun beat down fiercely on Glynde giving everything a gorgeous sienna glow. The vibe was friendly and up for it and the multi-age crowd smart but unpretentious. The ubiquitous festival food stalls were there (I had a pie every night. Yep, that's three pies) and some great vintage clothes stalls and record and book stores when we fancied a wander in between tunes.
Naturally, festival style fascinates me and Love Supreme gave good fashion-off. It was a real mixed bag; my favourites being festival brights, neon lips and plaited hair and some beautiful vintage skirts, African prints and sawn-off denim shorts with Navajo boots.
But ultimately we were there for the music and as expected from Jazz FM, it didn't disappoint bringing us a celebration of inspirational sounds. The line up included a dazzling selection of US artists and homegrown British talent that held its own amongst the big jazz guns. Highlights for me included the soulful singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka, and Chic with Nile Rodgers, resplendent in white suit, and who blessed the crowd with a steady flow of iconic disco classics. Gregory Porter's gorgeously honeyed voice and super tight band deeply wowed us and the rest of the crowd, with a set that effortlessly combined the exquisite mellow sounds of 'Be Good (Lion's Song)' with the glorious '1960 What?' that had the loyal crowd shouting back to the great man 'Ain't no need for moon light...' with fervour. Sadly we couldn't get in to the Big Top to see Courtney Pine as he was too popular and it was too squished but we caught the end of Soweto Kinch who had the crowd of all ages up on their feet.
Surprises for me were Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires and the stunning self-taught singer-songwriter from London, Andreya Triana, who performed a beautifully raw and classy set to a packed Arena in killer print top and trousers. Woozy on her incredible voice and liberal after a few pints of crisp sun-drenched cider, my husband yelled out 'You're f**king amazing!' to which she endearingly responded 'You're bleeping cool too, dude!' and we all laughed and got lost in the hypnotic music.
The most memorable bit, arguably after a few more ciders (there is a theme here), was the Grand Marnier Hidden Charm secret space. Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra were doing what they do best and putting on a fine show with special guests including Gregory Porter and Roland Gift, but we were in need of another refreshment. Love Supreme promised that behind the elegant Parisian facade, a land of flamboyant characters, delightful drinking, music & joie de vie awaited us... and as we stumbled in we weren't disappointed - wow, what a way to end a cracking festival. The cocktails were indeed delightful, bar staff flamboyant but super friendly and the music supplied by DJ NoisseS was outstanding. He played an exquisite set fusing a multitude of sub-genres including hip hop, soul, reggae, funk, jazz and ska. Skilfully mixing The Notorious B.I.G., Musical Youth, Tom Jones and DJ Zinc to extraordinary effect, this was for music lovers of all ages and preferences. Incredible.
Sadly, the sun had to go down on Love Supreme's debut, and we made our back to London reluctantly and not really ready to leave (although my body cannot take any more booze or food consumed from a box for at least a few weeks). John Fordham writes in The Guardian that 'promoters Jazz FM and their partners may find they have invented the British jazz world's Glastonbury' and so if it that's the case I'm glad I was there to experience what I hope will be the first of many more to come. As Chic say, these are the good times.
Jazz FM's Love Supreme Festival was held at Glynde Place from 5-7 July 2013
#lovesupremefest
http://www.lovesupremefestival.com/
http://www.jazzfm.com/