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EUR CONCERT REVIEW: The Brand New Heavies in LA
That caused me to question whether their fan base was strong enough to make a splash the second time around – especially in today’s youth oriented, producer-driven, Pro Tools-assisted musical climate.
I certainly remembered them, but it seemed as if I were the only one… and my meager $10.99 can only go so far. My worries were quailed, though, when I entered the Roxy, an historic concert venue in LA where the group was to perform.
Located right smack in the middle of the action on L.A.’s Sunset Strip, the venue was wall-to-wall with resurrected Heavies fans – fanatical fans at that. The DJ was pumping retro grooves to whet the palate and mouths of seemingly every ethnicity in the book were watering in anticipation of the band to take the stage. I even found myself standing next to a drooling gray-haired grandmother who was jockeying with me for a closer position.
Once the London-bred group did appear, they received an extremely warm welcome, both literally and figuratively; they opened the show to raucous cheers and shouts AND it was warm enough in the house to cause the band’s groovy front woman, N’Dea Davenport’s hair to frizz up like a cotton swab. The gutsy soul-singing diva, sporting a seductive little red number, took a few swigs of water and rocked on, and on, and on; it was a two-hour show, complete with a genuine encore.
The reunited band grooved the roof off the place in the sweltering heat, journeying through their repertoire of hits from the 90’s (Dream on Dreamer, Stay This Way Forever, Brother Sister, Never Stop) and weaving in a few joints from their upcoming release, Get Used To It, due to hit Stores on May 27th. The intimate show was one of several that the London funk/soul group will perform across the country to mark the group’s reunion and the release of their brand new studio album on Delicious Vinyl.
Based on the few new joints that were performed during the show, their latest record promises to pick up where the group left off before they parted ways (N’Dea tried her hand at a solo career after the separation, but it fell flat). N’Dea’s strong soulful delivery still meshes perfectly with the band’s super groovy seasoned accompaniment, giving them a sound that will put some of today’s typical musical faire to shame.
The difference between full-on bands that worked their way to notoriety by successfully gigging and earning respect and those that achieved success by hooking up with a hot producer and being shoved into music lover’s ears is astounding; the musical maturity of the former totally eclipses the latter. If they were able to capture this on their new studio album, which they’ve teamed up with Starbucks to distribute, they should have no problems reclaiming their fans and their little piece of the American spotlight.
On the web: www.thebrandnewheavies.net/
