Live
Atmosfear : 100 Club, London 8/3/19
Hands up who remembers Brit Funk? Well just to refresh your memory it was a halcyon period ( late 70's to early 80's) featuring such bands as Hi Tension, Light Of The World, Central Line, Imagination, Incognito, Level 42 and countless others.
Nestled in amongst the pack was tonight's band Atmosfear, celebrating their 40th Anniversary at the iconic 100 Club. I was curious to see how a band only really known for one great track was going to cut it live. Needless to say straight from the off with a tune called 'In The Red' allayed any doubts.It was awash with great retro synths and keys courtesy of Peter Hinds and the wizz, Antonello filaccio,the band got off to a terrific start which set the standard high.Lester Bachelor's imperious and authoritative bass playing ruled throughout bolstered by the hard,motoric grooves of drummer,Roy Mistry - the backstop question with these two guys,was well and truly solved !
Atmosfear came to party and so did the audience who lapped up the great 'wall of sound' that was on offer, juicy jazz funk was the order of the day adorned with great sax playing from the ubiquitous Dee Byrne ( who also plays with Entropi, Deemer,Lume,The Soul Immigrants.) The soulful mix of her funky Maceo holler and angular modernism in some ways defines the sound of the band just as much as LB who is canny enough to have great musicians surrounding him.
The consummate guitar skills of Kenny Barry was a delight too,this player knows all about taste and is the ultimate team player as does his cohort Orphy Robinson,who was also around during the era with his band Savanna.He shone on 'Running Away' a Roy Ayers evergreen, that sent the crowd garrity! The self effacing Shelley D started to bloom too, as the band found their strut as they mixed covers with originals.Carleen Anderson's 'True Spirit' was a notable highlight and so by the time their seminal track came forth (the incredibly catchy and anthemic) 'Dancing In Outer Space' the audience had been well and truly warmed up and ready for their banging elongated version! Out came the phones ( which lit up the place fire lighter stylee) and the merriment was in full swinging mode ramped up by a band reaching their climactic peak.
The synergy between audience and band made the evening a very special and joyous event.Atmosfear have atmosphere they create a pervading tone, with their creative work splendidly on offer at the iconic 100 Club- Job done!A top night 'everybody get on down let's have a party right here in London Town Makes no difference ...where you from its just a party everyone can come' Aah Brit Funk brilliance!
Words Emrys Baird
