Live
Record Kicks 10th Anniversary: 100 Club, London 9/11/2013
Record Kicks 10th anniversary got off to a flying start, which is just as well, as this record company based in Milan has done old school style funk & soul a tremendous service and deserves to be flourishing in my book!
Initiating proceedings was pretty as a picture Gizelle Smith and her 8 piece band - although the first couple of numbers suffered from a pretty bad sound, the lass found her bearings (after a shouty start) and got into her stride with - an excellent rendition of "Jonny", a much sort after 45, plus a deep funk version of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In The Wall" took me completely by surprise - who would have thought of that?!! Inspirational with some fine bongo crazy rhythms bouncing along and a neat horn section headed up by the super talented Nick Etwell. This was a tantalising appetiser shows where Gizelle stands at the moment, I wait to see with baited breath where this fizzy firebrand takes it next!
Drummer Jimi Needles (as did promoter Adrian Gibson) span some choice 45's too. Notably the soultastic version of "Purple 'Haze" by Jonny Jones and The King Casuals, setting things up sweetly for Record Kicks' darlings of the moment, Calibro 35. Italian grunge funk or 'grunk' as I like to call it! Their sound is inspired by soundtracks of Poliziottesco movies, a form of crime movie typical of Italy in the 1970s. Calibro 35 rock big time with their nifty themes, pacey, brash and they sure can muster a whole heap of fun. I urge you to check their latest album "Traditori Di Tutti" which is blowing up for them at the moment, quite frankly they are mustard! A cult band who love cult movies and wearing masks like a bunch of Beider Meinhof baddies!
The ebullient Hannah Williams and The Tastemakers were up next, tearing into their home grown soul…and I was suitably impressed with her trumpet skills! Never have I seen a lead singer be part of the horn section, well done that girl! Highlighting tracks from "Hill Of Feathers", Hannah gave it her all! That gal sure does know a thing or two about crowd control, as she rallied her audience round to her way of thinking…It might be a man's world but she is not going to let us off lightly! A spirited, if somewhat stagey performance…
Supergroup and power soul, Trio Valore, neatly nestled in next and showed off their virtuosic skills with groovetastic covers, inc; "Paint It Black" , "Rehab", "Get Carter" and a swinging version of "Hip Hugger" by Booker T. & the M.G.'s. Steve White's in the pocket drums grooves were a delight to behold, all faithfully bolstered by Damon Minchella's sassy bass (these two backed the Who!) Moreover, master muss-mashing it majestically! Mmmm!
Portuguese songstress Marta Ren finished off the live section with panache and style. This girl could sing the telephone directory and still be totally musical! Great to hear her 45 "Summer's Gone", a real jaunty soul number, check it out if you can on You Tube, its a ray of sunshine! However her killa track is "2 kinds of Man" a blinding slice of the deepest funk out there and backed by Trio Valore, plus her own whizz guitarist and a fab horn section - the night was hers for the taking! She oozes sensuality and class…yes a class act on a class record label.
Congratulations Record Kicks! keep it coming…the 100 Club sizzled!
Words Emrys Baird
