Live
Joey Negro & Sunburst band: Jazz Cafe 12/07/08
The british summer took a decided upturn for the better when the ubiquitous Joey Negro and the Sunburst Band rolled up to the portals of the hallowed Jazz Café to play their London debut and showcase their excellent new album 'Moving With The Shakers.'
Funky Disco house king turned svengali puppeteer Dave Lee, kept a low profile pulling the strings from behind the scenes, like a seasoned magician who has assembled the cream of the crop of musicians to fulfill his live extravaganza to the max.
So with this purpose in mind, the band dispatched some of the funkiest soulful tunes you could possibly hear,compelling you to dance almost immediately. Negro, the undisputed master of the dance floor and disco connoisseur, really has cut the mustard with this fine array of talent on offer.
Fronting this highly skilled collective are vocalists Donna Gardier, a sweet sassy Diva and the golden, throaty tones of Pete Simpson. Their natural rapport and melodic sensibilities came across strongly, safeguarding the total enjoyment of this bustling crowd eager for anthems and boy anthems they got!
Proceedings got off to a fine start with 'We Will Turn You On' and
euphoria soon took over with the joyous 'Feeling on Top of The World' with the classic sample of 'Good times' by Reid, executed faithfully by the live band who, by now on top form, were beginning to make the tracks sound better live than on record!
A cheeky slow grinding version of Bowie’s 'Fashion' exemplified the sheer versatility on show. It was refreshing to hear some edgy midtempo funk grooves amidst the crowd pleasing four to the floor fun. Guitarist Tony Remy, who undoubtably has got the most astute chops this side of Smithfield, gave a blistering solo bolstered by the unerring rhythm section of groove meisters Frank Tontoh (drums) and Julian Cramton (bass).
Other superb highlights were, 'Our Lives Have Changed' featuring majesticfender rhodes courtesy of Alex Bennett, whose playing was understated and subtle to the core throughout.
Crescendoing with 'Everyday' from their second album 'Until The End Of Time' sent the crowd into a paroxysmal frenzy, syndrums pinging, backbeat burning and Donna regaling the audience with her sheer manic effervescence able to emblazon the surroundings effortlessly-no mother was going to put this funk fire out!!
Pulling out all the stops and unfettered by slickness Joey Negro, initiated his artistic explorations into playing his tunes live to startling effect and the Starburst band gave an incendiary performance to boot! He’s added no harm to his already mythic status and this sort of thing might well just elevate him to near-godhood! Outstanding stuff!
BTW (A big shout must go out to Solar radio DJ Phil Baker whose disco knowledge far outshines mine-thanks for the minutiae mate!)
Words Emrys Baird
