Julie Dexter, a soul head from the city in England called Birmingham, was performing that night at the Jazz Cafe as her first appearance in this musical genre, nobody had really heard of her. The only exposure she had received was on the Soul Brother Records ‘Organic Soul’ series compilations, and also her debut CD ‘Dexterity’. Like a flower turning towards the sun, would be how I described this lady’s stage performance. At 5 Parkway Road, London, NW1, there was an intense/excited buzz in the atmosphere, as the crowd awaited Dexter to come on stage. I was sitting up stairs in the restaurant area celebrating my 17th birthday with my parents, indulging myself in pasta and then for pudding a chocolate cake with cream on top, not exactly soul food, but delicious nonetheless. With myself filled and satisfied I was anxiously looking around for this unique artist to turn up. Then through the dressing room doors, she sorntered passed my table and down the stairs, and up onto the Jazz Café stage, the crowd went wild! I sat opposite her mother who was lovely, and my mother got talking to her, so that was cool, to think I’ve met Julie’s Mum. Her mother was extremely friendly, and her family/cousins etc I think were all near the bar part supporting her first London performance. This was a big night for Julie Dexter, she had one evening to prove to an anticipated crowd what she has to offer, and she delivered talent effortlessly and impressively. Her mother said she’d tell Julie that I was her biggest fan, which I was quite chuffed about. There are always such stunning individuals (women) at the Jazz Café and funky looking people; I am usually the youngest to be seen in the crowd, being only nineteen. Her revealing yet gorgeous outfit, strong features and beautiful nappy hair, was a sight to behold. They were bringing what real music used to be all about, live musicianship. I couldn’t get over how talented each musician was, and how much they seemed to love playing together. Jazzy and soulful, were the sounds I heard through out the night, her voice was like a modern day Nancy Wilson (as that is her idol), ‘Dexterity’ is better live than on CD, even though its an amazing debut album. Now, a few years on, you wonder have we lost our only brilliant Soul artist, as she lives in Atlanta.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

With special guests being ‘Floetry’ India Aries’ show was fantastic! She beautified the already beautiful audience with her spirituality and soul. Floetry in 2003, were new comers on the block, and even in London. India had just released her album ‘Acoustic Soul’, which rocketed her little feet to stardom the day her musical baby was born. I had been listening to the album non-stop, analyzing the music, memorizing each lyric and getting’ the rapture of Arie. The rhythm in which India flows vocally and musically sounds/feels effortless, so when witnessed on stage, it was a crime to why she didn’t receive any of her future seven Grammy Award Nominations. She sat on the stage, looking like an acoustic soul earth child, and started to hum a few notes, while her fingertips would gently strum the strings of her guitar. Songs during the night varied from solo acoustic performances (which I preferred because they were more intimate), songs from her debut record and also some special covers. The evening was star studded, who would walk into my seating area but Maxwell, Desree, and situated in different areas of the arena were Omar, Trevor Nelson and more British celebrities. ‘I Am Ready for Love’ was her strongest performances; emotionally she captured everyone, as it almost brought a tear to my eye. I also remember enjoying ‘Simple’, ‘Nature’, and ‘Wonderful’, which is a Stevie Wonder dedication song. During the night she also praised Sade a lot, her back up duo Floetry were also mentioned, along with Terri Walker and a big shout out was given to Omar, whom I was earlier standing next to at the bar, but didn’t pluck up the courage to say hi and how much I loved his music (luckily I met him in person through Just Soul). Floetry managed to get the front row of the audience excited and in frenzy with a flick of a finger, they were fresh and interesting but I didn’t know what they were about, they’ve come a long long way since 2003. This gig is probably the most out standing gig I’ve ever been to, and I would never turn down an India Arie gig in London, never!

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

Leela James was playing at the Ronnie Scotts for an exclusive press audience, I was invited down by Chris Wells who had two free spear tickets, it was a lunch time performance, so it felt strange going off to a gig during the day time but I was in for a treat. The performance was a live set, acoustic, and authentic with Leela James power house vocals. It was a spontaneous day, because I had no idea there were any tickets free for this concert, so it all happened rather quickly. From London Bridge, the Leather Market, were Echoes Magazine is based, I headed of by myself to Soho, Ronnie Scotts. I was pretty nervous about sitting in a London jazz club by myself, and I was quite uncomfortable through out because I never go to gig’s independently. So, this was a new experience, and a learning one. I sat near the mixing desk, so embarrassingly most of the people watching Leela James could see me, because I was on the side of the stage. Leela kept looking at me when she was belting out her soul tracks from ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’, and I was getting worried that she’d come by me and sing or something, just to make me feel even more uneasy! Luckily, she was more worried about the people in front of her, so most of the time all I got to see was her rather gigantic afro and a tiny microphone, and this gigantic soul wrenching voice. She looked like a background singer from the Supremes, sounded like Tina Turner mixed with Aretha Franklin, and male vocalists like Otis Redding etc. All her songs were professional performed, with real energy, excitement and interaction with the crowd. She got this one really shy girl to say ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’, is sounded quite funny in the British accent, but I felt sorry for her, as Leela is one hell of a performer! After the gig, I would have preferred to hear more of her own songs, and to find out what the band all together sounded like, because the album is very hip-hop based. However, when she performed at at Ronnie Scotts it was straight up soul, from a very entertaining diva.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

Corinne Bailey Rae graced her hometown of Leeds with a special evening of music. Some people in the audience knew Corinne from when she was in the Leeds band ‘Helen’. Most people however, were there because of the release of her hugely successful singles ‘Like A Star’ and ‘Put Your Records On’ and wanted to see this new starlet live. The evening began with the support act James Morrison. The crowd, quiet at first, soon warmed to him due to his soulful rock voice and he sang each song passionately in his sexy, gravelly voice. The band complimented his sound and fed off each other during the show, a promising start to the evening. Corinne walked on stage, flower in hair, simply attired with high waisted 50’s style dress, along with her band and two backing singers, everyone cheering her as she looked out onto the vast audience. From the opening song ‘Call Me When You Get This’ to the next track ‘Trouble Sleeping’, we were in awe. The next track ‘Breathless’ was soulfully sung and well received, Corinne explaining she wrote this whilst working at Harvey Nichols. ‘Enchantment’ was sung beautifully, as was ‘Til It Happens To You’. Corinne’s songs are honest and pure sounding, sung with a strong voice. One thing I was worried about before the performance was the venue for the show. Would it be the right kind of venue for this particular performer? It wasn’t. All through the night I couldn’t help thinking it would be enhanced, sat in a Jazz Café type venue, relaxing, listening to this artist. A University Hall, stood up, with people cramped in (and they were cramped in), didn’t create the ambience this artist deserved. The audience encouraged her throughout the night saying “Come On Corinne”, “Come on Leeds”, much to her amusement. The band was sufficient. It didn’t appear they had been together long or had gelled together as a band, but good guitarist. Corinne sang a B-side to one of her songs from her previous band as well as a Led Zeppelin cover. ‘Like A Star’ was the song Corinne sang on Jools Holland, which she told us she appeared on due to Sinéad O'Connor having a stomach bug - it is how most breaks happen, by chance. ‘Put Your Records On’ was sung with the two people whom she had written it with, watching in the audience and ‘Butterfly’ was written for her Mum, also in the audience. Finishing off with ‘I’d Like To’ before the encore. Corinne ended the set with ‘Choux Pastry Heart’, sounding much better live than on her CD and ‘Seasons Change’, the last song on her album. Corinne isn’t here for the limelight, but is here because of her enthusiastic love for music. Not to be pigeon holed into singing any particular genre/style, but simply to sing music she enjoys. It would have been good to see Corinne encourage a little more crowd participation and for her to have sat a little more forward to the audience rather than at the back of the stage when she played guitar. I also felt an hour and ten minutes was a little disappointing for Corinne to be on stage. I see a star with huge potential, yet sill young in her performance abilities. Providing she is cultured with the professionals of the music industry, ‘Like A Star’, her talent will keep shining and she will hopefully stay in music for a very long time. Let’s hope she is given the chance to do just that.

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]

Tonight, Kindred the Family Soul played at the Jazz Cafe’. It was a pleasant evening filled with soulful music for a very soulful audience, which included Roachford, Ralph T of Expansion Records, the staff from Soul Brother Records, Vivian Scott Chew, Victoria Wilson James (former Soul II Soul vocalist), and others. Aja and Fatin wore a mixed outfit, combining smart with casual, and it looked really funky. Aja had shades on with a sophisticated pin stripped suite, were as Fatin had a more casual style of dress, but they both looked the part. It was really refreshing to see two people have a real love for each other, and they showed it on stage, making everyone feel positive. They make you feel like you want to be in love, because they have an infectious connection that would get any one envious. When they came on stage, they audience went crazy, and the band kicked in. I was sitting at the top by the bar with Vivian and her friends, along with my sister, so I felt that I didn’t get the full Kindred experience, because I wasn’t in the audience. But nevertheless it was an impressive show. I couldn’t believe it when the two covered Eddie Kendrick’s ‘Intimate Friends’, because it is one of my favorite classic soul songs. They’re vocal sound is sexy and silky soul, so when they sing together it’s beautiful. The band members were all talented musicians, and they played the tracks professionally from start to finish. Kindred the Family Soul played tracks from ‘Surrender to Love’ and ‘In This Life Together’, including ‘Stars’, ‘Fly Away’, to ‘Sneak a Freak’, and ‘As Of Yet’. I was completely in the Kindred groove, because they capture you with there musical and personal connection. They ooze class and soul, from head to toe. It’s not a surprise that I couldn’t get my attention away from the couple performing because I was enthralled by their love and soul. The show was an uplifting one to watch, and the songs were always based on a positive message, which spread light into everyone’s spirits that evening. I wish that I would have been in the front row, because I couldn’t exactly feel the full energy from Kindred because of were I was sitting, but I did enjoy my company that night, so it wasn’t as if I was missing out on anything. Over all Kindred the Family Soul, are definitely a family with soul in their bones, which mean’s that they will be rocking stages and stereo players for many years ahead.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]