Nina Cobham opens up this evening with some gentle lounge jazz featuring warm guitar licks and sultry vocals. There is a bit of a bossanova vibe too. 'Empezar De Neuvo (Que Pena)' is very relaxing, and the softer vocals and mix of languages is lovely. 'Interested' again has a bossa feel and this, along with vocals reminds me of the bossa/trip hop/chill out mix of 90s act Smoke City. The Spanish verse in the middle of 'Self Care' has a great flow to it. A very relaxing and calming start to the evening.
Gogo Penguin are a classic piano jazz trio but they sound very modern and contemporary with their takes on drum and bass, downtempo and other dance genres. All three players are phenomenal. Everyone does their own thing in terms of beats, rhythms and melodies yet it sounds so harmonious and inspiring. Pianist Chris Illingworth's fingers dance across the keys whilst the double bassist Nick Blacka plays stuttering rhythms and drummer Jon Scott plays steady yet loose beats. 'Bardo' has an almost trance vibe. The ethereal piano melodies are otherworldly whilst Nick's dexterous fingers defy belief. 'Friday Film Special' does indeed have soundtrack qualities, sounding a little like Goblin or John Carpenter without the retro synths. 'Saturnine' sounds like it could have come out on Warp Records in the 90s and it is glorious. 'Murmuration' is majestic, with its Roni Size style bass work and glacial piano melodies. The crowd are really into it too. Encore 'You're Stronger Than You Think' again has a Plaid/Warp feel. Closing song 'Protest' is epic and dramatic, with classically influenced piano work which reminds me of Gershwin's 'Rhapsody In Blue'. Phenomenal.
Gogo Penguin *****
Nina Cobham ****
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