Jazz Re:Freshed @ Roundhouse Rising Festival

Reviews

Rhys Baker

27 Mar 2018

Jazz Re:Freshed curated an exceptional evening – highlighting an enclave of London's bright-burning young jazz scene.

Celebrating their 9th year, Roundhouse Rising Festival teamed up with contemporary music organisation, label, and multifaceted taste and scene makers; Jazz Re:Freshed – to bring the finest virtuosity and young talent to the festival.

Watch the full festival performance below! 

 

First up on the night was The Roundhouse Music Collective, or as they are now known; Ocelot – 9 very talented young musicians who came into being through the Roundhouse music programme. Their opening and stand-out track 'My Strong Hair' demonstrated their individual yet eclectic music ability and dynamic cohesion – that belied their youthful existence.

At times, nerves got the better of the two lead vocalists, as harmonies slipped, allowing powerful moments to sound slightly flat. However, no doubt with time, and as Ocelot break out to the broader world and tighten their craft – this won’t be a minor criticism for long.

Next up was Fred Fredas, who after a slightly rocky start, and with maybe too much audience call and response technique, won over the audience with his emotional and heavy-hearted spoken word-cum-MC'ing. Opening with an acoustic-instrument orientated take on his electronic track 'Ain't Fooling Me' – Fred Fredas poured his soul into his vocal attacks.

Deciding not to use vocal manipulation used on the studio track, the live rendition made for a more authentic and engaging performance - allowing his vocal and deep-wordsmith ability to flourish. A standout moment from the set was his performance of 'Addiction' – yet again performed with an organ sounding synth opposed to the standard grimey synth-bass line.

Fredas live embarcation of Jazz elements into his gritty and grimey sound, is what would make him stand out in an already oversaturated scene, an amalgamated sound I hope Fredas will implore moving forward.

Jazz Re: Freshed next serving Ayo Salawu, an insane jazz drummer, playing his first gig with a full band 'the Jazzzadelics'. Performing a platitude of jazz and fusion covers, the group were solid performers. Stealing the show, Kassie Kinoshi slayed on the sax, especially on the cover of Jammin E Cricket by Chick Corea, where her lead solo performance was absolutely sublime – captivating the entire room.

Releasing her own solo material out of Jazz Re:Freshed very soon, she is a musician to keep on eye on in the near future. The second half took a sonic turn, as guest vocalists joined Ayo Salwu on stage, creating a mellow and soulful ambience. An impeccable talent, and flawless drummer – I'm excited to see what Ayo does next.

 

Last up, headlining the night, was the ironically named jazz quintet TriForce. Newly signed to Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Recordings, featured on their most recent compilation and powerhouse project 'We Out Here' – a collection of songs celebrating London's young jazz scene. Expectedly blowing everyone away, TriForce combined frantic jazz drum rhythms with beating groove-punch bass, layered with smooth floaty keys and a swirl of lyrical guitar licks.

'Wall's' off 'We Out Here' was a standout track, a slow burner that builds and builds through Mansur Brown’s soft metal-esque guitar lead, that sounds like the child of Jimi Hendrix and Keith Emerson (if he played the guitar the same way his played the keyboard) – eventually becoming an epic wall of sound.

Making a huge splash of the Jazz Circuit and beyond, TriForce are a leading force (pardon the pun) for UK Jazz and pioneers of the scene.

Well worth making your way through the snow and ice, Jazz Re:Freshed's dose of jazz fusion, was a snapshot and a time capsule of the current – that in retrospect might become a staple, and key moment in the UK jazz scene's development.