RAY CHARLES
Let the good times roll. By 1961, Ray Charles had already scored major hits such as “I Got A Woman” and “What'd I Say”. He had been definitively adopted by the European white youth, who were seduced by his rants, which preceded the arrival of soul music at the end of the decade. In his exchanges with the Raelettes, he delivered the frenzy of gospel, always supported by the riffs of an excellent formation (three saxophones, two trumpets and a rhythm section). Additionally, his instrumentalists revealed their musical prowess during pure instrumental pieces, where Ray Charles simply deployed his unique piano playing, thus acknowledging the valuable percussive aspect of his music.
As it is not really necessary to dwell on the talent of the "Genius", we take the liberty of underlining the impact of the Raelettes, a vocal backing set up in 1958 with Darlene McCrea, Pat Lyles, Gwendolyn Berry and Margie Hendrix. Their powerful and raspy voices are widely prominent during the concert. We will also highlight the presence of saxophonist and flautist Dave "Fathead" Newman, (on “Georgia On My Mind”) who also played with Lowell Fulson and T-Bone Walker and transpired an invigorating blues.
AL MCKAY’S EARTH WIND & FIRE EXPERIENCE
In 2019, left-handed guitarist Al McKay assembled his All Stars to be one of the headliners at the 50th anniversary of the Jazzwoche Burghausen festival in Germany. His band, a collective of many of the best session musicians in L.A., brings back the infective soul, R&B, funk of the ‘70s radio-friendly superstar group Earth, Wind & Fire with many of the band’s greatest hits. It’s highlighted by the funk-grooved “Shining Star.” That was the band’s top hit, charting for several weeks in 1976. Another massive hit revisited is the catchy McKay composition “September,” fired by muscular lyricism that made it to No. 1 on the R&B Charts. But in interviews, McKay, a star in the group from 1973-81, stresses that they are not duplicating EWF but bringing a vital, fresh view to the legacy of the band. As such they are an homage band celebrating the band’s innovative soul-funk-r&b sounds in the ’70s that expressed the power of dance-filled black music at the time. For this Earth, Wind & Fire Experience show, McKay fills the stage with three vocalists (who also dance in step), four horn players, two keyboardists and a rhythm section of percussion, bass and drums. It’s a soul feast with McKay’s funky wah-wah rhythm guitar power. From the cool soul of “Sun Goddess” to the full-tilt beats of “Jupiter,” the show is a high-spirited reminder of an era of music in the past. Yet McKay proves that this fun still sparkles with compelling potency—evidenced in the standing-ovation call for an encore which yielded more hits, including the dance crazy “Boogie Wonderland.”
MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO
Meshell Ndegeocello is well renowned for her creativity. Since she first came into the spotlight around 30 years ago with Plantation Lullabies, an album signed to Maverick, the American bassist has continuously evolved in harmony with her inspirations. A distillation of her musical repertoire, the powerful album Ventriloquism covers tracks by 11 different musicians and groups, including Prince’s moving “Sometimes it Snows in April” and George Clinton’s contagious “Atomic Dog.” Released in 2023, the LP The Omichord Real Book received well-deserved acclaim from critics, reflecting Ndegeocello’s aptitude for bringing people together through music.
Alternating between electric bass and a Moog keyboard, Ndegeocello demonstrates her musical prowess here. This compact and magnetic performance seamlessly ventures into the realm of funk while also embracing other genres such as synth-rock and jazz. Mystical and vibrant, it even includes African sounds and riffs, a clear influence when you consider that the singer's stage comes directly from the Swahili language. Backed by Jebin Bruni on keys, Christopher Bruce on guitar and the excellent Abraham Rounds on drums (that broom-playing at the beginning…), Ndegeocello delivers a unique and evolving production––a state of mind that truly sets her apart.
LAURA MVULA
Laura Mvula's voice timbre, her unique writing, and her positioning between pop and R&B have made her a special case. Recorded at the Swiss Baloise Session festival in 2016, the British singer and keyboardist is promoting her second album, The Dreaming Room (with the collaboration of Nile Rodgers), the follow-up to Sing to the Moon in 2013.
Leading a group dominated by strings, synthesizers, and producer Troy Miller on drums, as well as a vocal trio that anchors several tracks in gospel, Laura Mvula expresses a strength of character that takes on its full dimension when she finds herself alone on stage, equipped with her keytar, on a song as beautiful as "Father, Father." In her writing as well as in her interpretation, we can see that she's the real deal.
