Live

B Cool-Aid album launch: The Cause, London 9/4/23

One of the most intriguing releases so far this year is the neo-soul/hip-hop blend offering, "Leather Blvd". The album, by B Cool-Aid - a longstanding collaboration between rapper Pink Siifu and producer Ahwlee - brilliantly combines a J Dilla-esque vibe with dashes of D'Angelo and John Coltrane mixed in for good measure. It's the perfect late-night chill-out record.

It's fitting that in order to launch the album in the UK and they invited some big hitters for a party in East London. Among them were Fly Anakin, whose "Frank" album was one of my most spun vinyls of 2022, along with Quelle Chris, whose "Deathfame" was one of the essential records of last year.

Singer Demae got the performances off to an excellent start. She's a relative newcomer but already boasts an impressive collection of work, "Basic Love" and "Stuck in a Daze" among the tracks showcasing a massive soulful talent.

Following an impressive set, rapper Goya Gumbani took centre stage. I'm ashamed to say I didn't know much about him before the event, but he announced himself in style with an assured performance that had me looking him up on the way home. Definitely, one to watch.

Fly Anakin was up next, and he superbly recreated the magic he delivers in the studio with a strong flow and compelling stage presence. "Sean Price" and "Dontbeafraid" were among the highlights of a strong set, and he was promptly back onstage with Pink Siifu to deliver tracks from their "FlySiifu's" collaboration. 

Quelle Chris is an artist I've wanted to see for a long time. He's been a strong presence in the underground hip-hop world for some time, and his joint album with Jean Grae, "Everything's Fine" was a high point of 2019. A warm and engaging figure onstage, he started with the brilliant "Alive Ain't Always Living" from the "Deathfame" album, and the title track sounded epic during a short performance.

With night having fallen and no more light pouring into the warehouse building, it was time for the headliners to bring the event to a triumphant close. "Cnt Go Back" and "Neems (Naima)", which draw inspiration from Coltrane and boast a warmth and depth that the duo brought to the stage. Like the album, it had the feel of a jam session with two talented artists bouncing ideas off each other. It was the perfect way to bring Easter Sunday to a close.

PHOTOS: DAVE BURKE
Words Dave Burke