Live
TY Album Launch, Jazz Café 31/05/2010 (Under a Special Kind of Spell)
“What you saw on stage was love, it was black music – unashamedly” TY
Described as TY’s Opus to making heartfelt music, capable of connecting and speaking to the ordinary person, ‘Special Kind of Fool’ is without doubt captivating and multifaceted.
A sold out Jazz Café was certainly under TY’s spell for the launch of his forth studio album. He was joined on stage by an array for special guests such as US electro soul star’ Erik Rico, ‘Queen of Lovers Rock’ Carroll Thompson and Roses Gabor who feature on the album. Charlene Hector and Vula Malinga provided the perfect vocal accompaniment to his musical kin and live band, in the form of Richard Spaven on drums Robin Mullarkey on bass and Simon Collam on Keyboard.
In a twist to the proceedings, soul singer Obenewa wowed the audience with a soulful rapturous track and Charlene Hector gave an impromptu performance of Nina Simone’s 'I wish' by (as originally featured on that unforgettable Cocoa Cola advert), proving this was a true celebration of music, regardless of labels and genres.
The salute to South Africa with traditional dance moves and even TY standing tall with a fist held high above the crowd, had me reminiscing of home and wishing I had taken my mum with me to the show, as it and the album spoke to every generation. Amongst the highlights of the night was a performance of the album title track, ‘Special kind of Fool’ with Erik Rico, in a word - mesmerising. It is one thing to have heard it on the album, but to witness it live was the perfect end to a true musical extravaganza, which had seen the capital’s music fraternity across the board come out in force.
With the after party continuing well into the early hours courtesy of the masters of getting any party jumping, Mr. Thing, The Boogie bunch, Man Vs Wife and DJ Bounce; this was a special moment in British music history which anyone in attendance will not forget in a hurry.
TY Special Kind Of Fool out now on BBE RECORDS
www.twitter.com/tymusic
Words THUTO MALI
