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So I let two weeks slip by, unintentionally of course. However, Remedy at Oh! Bar is still fresh in my mind.
Situated in a cozy bar in between Camden and Chalk Farm, when I arrived the air was ready for an evening of lyrical creativity and blissful beats. The mood was set as red and orange lights dusted the walls and an array of mahogany tables and sofas were scattered around the room. A live band chimed in the background setting the scene for the night to come, while a small crowd of scarf-wearers and lock-sporters alike milled about in anticipation. Already I was pleased with the atmosphere – one that seemed ready to rep UK soul.
My friend and I sat at a small table awaiting the first act. The main show would not start till 9pm, but the band was there to entertain until then. There was a young sax player to the left of the stage with long curly hair tied up in a ponytail. He reminded me of a video clip I saw a few weeks earlier of a solo saxophonist performing on an American late-night chat show. Man, was he good! He had so much charisma and talent that he left me, as well as his audience, in complete and utter awe. I hoped that the sax player tonight would get a chance to take a solo spot and leave us with the same amount of reverence.
Slowly more people arrived, making their way to the front of the humble stage at the back of the bar. There were Remedy t-shirts displayed on the walls, and smiling promoters left their flyers representing other soul-filled nights at each table.
I’m always pleasantly surprised at the family-feel of events such as these. We are, after all, here to share a common passion, yet the amount of smiles and hellos always catch me off-guard. Everyone held a warm and welcoming attitude appearing truly happy to be amongst like-minded individuals.
After an hour or so, the room was sufficiently filled and the young sax player took centre stage to present the night. First up was a petite white girl by the name of Melody. Her music was a little different to the typical soul tune. Slightly scatty and funky, her sound had more bite than the previous slow vibe of the band, which was a refreshing start. I continually question why ‘soul’ seems to hold the convention of slow, lazy music. As time progresses shouldn’t our music follow suit? Why is it that hip-hop can evolve and incorporate usual sounds yet be just as substantial as lyricism-focused rap was in the ‘90s? Take Lupe Fiasco, deemed ‘hip-hop’s Generation Next vanguard’ by music journalist Henry Adaso. His creative lyricism combined with unique beats makes for an invigorating direction for hip-hop to take. Therefore, shouldn’t soul music be allowed to take on an alternative form and still garner the same respect and devotion from dedicated lovers? My answer is yes, soul should. Heck, if John Legend can change up his style then that proves soul music is in need of a fresh stance.
As the crowd stood to watch Melody, some routinely bobbing their heads, others still as statues, I slowly became aware that this was not so much a showcase of Melody’s lyrical talents, but rather an extended ‘jam session’. Okay, I thought, so we get to see her vibe – that’s cool. A good icebreaker to the evening. Looking forward to hearing some creative context from the following performer. That is, after all, what I’m here for.
Next up was Sarinah Leah, decked out in scarf and all. She was laid-back with her performance – sweet, all smiles and light and breezy, with an air of quiet confidence about her. When she spoke to introduce each song her calm and collected demeanor reminded me of Natalie ‘The Floacist’ Stewart from UK’s own Floetry. Her music was smooth and mellow, and got a good response from the audience. One song that stood out to me was called ‘Time Will Tell’. More thought provoking than the others; it was her only song that had meaning within its lyrics.
Following Sarinah was an energetic songstress called Kaana Ellie. With heavy elements of up-tempo jazz she woke the crowd and stunned us with her lively performance. I immediately liked her swagger. She had passion. Fire. But lyrics that didn’t really mean anything. Rather, sentences repeated over and over again, with varying degrees of pitch and expressionism. Entertaining but safe.
Overall the night was enjoyable, yet I couldn’t stop from feeling a little disappointed by the lack of lyrical substance each performance had to offer. Yes, they could all sing. And yes, the music was playful and melodic. But I didn’t feel as though they had very much to say, and I’m searching for music with content, something that sits a little out of the comfort of conventional soul music. Of course I commend the talent that performed, and am pleased to have such artists repping UK soul. However, it is evident that my search for ‘soul’ is just at the beginning, but I’m sure with a little deeper digging I’ll be sure to find London’s own vanguards to soul’s Generation Next.
Wednesday, 17 September 2008
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
Diary of Soul Search: Day One
Originally posted: Wednesday September 3rd, 2008
I started my research into finding out what’s out in the UK soul scene. I was actually surprised at the amount of soul events that are being held in London. So far there are 3 nights this week, and 3 nights next week. Tomorrow is Remedy, a night dedicated for open mic, at Oh! Bar in Camden. Will be going with a few friends of mine so hopefully be a good start to this Soul Search.
The last ‘soul’ event I attended turned out to be quite a disappointment. I went to a slam poetry night in Stratford. It featured poets and singers. The poets – why is it that most poets who perform spoken word all seem to speak in the same, over accentuated, over punctuated way? Does. Every. Sentence. Have. A. Period. In. Between. Each. Word? I don’t know. To me, it seems a bit cliché. I have yet to come across a poetry session that doesn’t conform to the mold of a typical Black poet. However, music is different. Yes, soul artists do have the stigma of scatting and talking about ‘Brown Skin’ and the like – but there are refreshing artists out there.
One comes to mind that I had the pleasure of seeing perform a few months ago. An African/Indian day event was held at South Bank University that featured a variety of entertainment such as fashion shows, stand-up comedy, singers and dancers. One such singer, along with an amazing band that backed her, was called Flo. Yes, a cliché name, which made me a bit apprehensive. However, I was proven quite wrong when this half Chinese, half Jamaican singer opened her mouth. A mixture of spoken word and sultry singing complemented with the smooth jazzy music made for an inspiring show. And although she performed yet another song about a ‘dark skinned brotha’, the lyrics were so captivating and sensual, that all I could do was daydream about ebony hands caressing my skin.
So, with that in mind, my expectation for tomorrow's open mic is open-minded. I’m looking forward to seeing how big the crowd is and how many performers are going to do their thang. With UK soul not being a big scene, in the Western world in general, I’m already pleased that there more nights than I thought there would be dedicated to lyrical vibes.
I started my research into finding out what’s out in the UK soul scene. I was actually surprised at the amount of soul events that are being held in London. So far there are 3 nights this week, and 3 nights next week. Tomorrow is Remedy, a night dedicated for open mic, at Oh! Bar in Camden. Will be going with a few friends of mine so hopefully be a good start to this Soul Search.
The last ‘soul’ event I attended turned out to be quite a disappointment. I went to a slam poetry night in Stratford. It featured poets and singers. The poets – why is it that most poets who perform spoken word all seem to speak in the same, over accentuated, over punctuated way? Does. Every. Sentence. Have. A. Period. In. Between. Each. Word? I don’t know. To me, it seems a bit cliché. I have yet to come across a poetry session that doesn’t conform to the mold of a typical Black poet. However, music is different. Yes, soul artists do have the stigma of scatting and talking about ‘Brown Skin’ and the like – but there are refreshing artists out there.
One comes to mind that I had the pleasure of seeing perform a few months ago. An African/Indian day event was held at South Bank University that featured a variety of entertainment such as fashion shows, stand-up comedy, singers and dancers. One such singer, along with an amazing band that backed her, was called Flo. Yes, a cliché name, which made me a bit apprehensive. However, I was proven quite wrong when this half Chinese, half Jamaican singer opened her mouth. A mixture of spoken word and sultry singing complemented with the smooth jazzy music made for an inspiring show. And although she performed yet another song about a ‘dark skinned brotha’, the lyrics were so captivating and sensual, that all I could do was daydream about ebony hands caressing my skin.
So, with that in mind, my expectation for tomorrow's open mic is open-minded. I’m looking forward to seeing how big the crowd is and how many performers are going to do their thang. With UK soul not being a big scene, in the Western world in general, I’m already pleased that there more nights than I thought there would be dedicated to lyrical vibes.
Introduction
Originally posted: Saturday August 30th, 2008
With the rapid popularity of celebrity, flashy jewelery and showmanship, music is on the brink of being lost forever to video hoes, spinning rims and party beats. As Leela James put it, ‘Where’s the music gone?’
America’s commercial success of glamorized gangsta rap is influencing everyone around the world, so it’s no surprise that the UK is well on its way to copycatting blingin’ chains combined with shallow lyrics. That’s not to say that we should condemn those party tracks - we all love to hit the club and dance to hot tracks that feature Lil’ Wayne. But, how about the times when we need a little more substance?
Being a lover of true lyricism, soul music (encompassing all it’s varieties of neo-soul to conscience rap) is what I feel is the obvious choice of music. However, despite hip hop artists’ transition to commercial platforms – such as Common’s acting stints, Kanye West’s mixture of party beats and inspiring lyrical content, and even Mos Def’s co-star comedy act, soul music is still surprisingly, for lack of a better word, underground. Artist’s such as Talib Kweli, Dwele, Slum Village, and Music Soulchild (to name a few) are somewhat heard of, but not close to being appreciated as much as they should. And that’s in the States, a place where varied music is more encouraged than in London. With pop and indie stifling our airwaves, it’s not surprising that Floetry, and even Joss Stone, had to pave their way to success in America in order to make their music heard.
On that note, I have begun a Soul Search in order to find and create awareness for the talented artists that London has to offer in the attempt to help soul become a greater, and more appreciated, music in our increasingly fickle pop culture.
With the rapid popularity of celebrity, flashy jewelery and showmanship, music is on the brink of being lost forever to video hoes, spinning rims and party beats. As Leela James put it, ‘Where’s the music gone?’
America’s commercial success of glamorized gangsta rap is influencing everyone around the world, so it’s no surprise that the UK is well on its way to copycatting blingin’ chains combined with shallow lyrics. That’s not to say that we should condemn those party tracks - we all love to hit the club and dance to hot tracks that feature Lil’ Wayne. But, how about the times when we need a little more substance?
Being a lover of true lyricism, soul music (encompassing all it’s varieties of neo-soul to conscience rap) is what I feel is the obvious choice of music. However, despite hip hop artists’ transition to commercial platforms – such as Common’s acting stints, Kanye West’s mixture of party beats and inspiring lyrical content, and even Mos Def’s co-star comedy act, soul music is still surprisingly, for lack of a better word, underground. Artist’s such as Talib Kweli, Dwele, Slum Village, and Music Soulchild (to name a few) are somewhat heard of, but not close to being appreciated as much as they should. And that’s in the States, a place where varied music is more encouraged than in London. With pop and indie stifling our airwaves, it’s not surprising that Floetry, and even Joss Stone, had to pave their way to success in America in order to make their music heard.
On that note, I have begun a Soul Search in order to find and create awareness for the talented artists that London has to offer in the attempt to help soul become a greater, and more appreciated, music in our increasingly fickle pop culture.
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