Brand New Heavies – Live Review – The Foundry, Sheffield
By Graham Clark, November 2024
Rising out of the Acid Jazz scene of the early nineties, Brand New Heavies, alongside acts such as Jamiroquai, popularised the movement.
Thirty years on from the release of their defining Brother Sister album, the Heavies are celebrating the occasion with a tour, beginning with the first night in Sheffield at The Foundry.
Unsurprisingly, the album has resonated with a younger generation; many of the fans present tonight were not even born when it was originally released, while those who were there the first time around were reminded of its influence.
The nucleus of the band remains guitarist Simon Bartholomew and bassist Andrew Levy, with Angela Ricci on vocals. All band members were dressed as if ready for a great night out, ensuring their energy was undiminished.
“Into the groove”
Rather than playing the album track by track, the wise decision to mix up the songs worked in their favour. The title track came early, with its slinky and seductive groove mesmerising the sold-out audience, while a two-piece brass section gave the track a solid foundation.
Though not on the original album, Ricci gave original singer N’Dea Davenport a run for her money with soulful, emotive vocals, particularly evident on the hit ‘Midnight at the Oasis’.
The album’s instrumental cuts allowed the band to delve fully into the groove, with ‘Have a Good Time’ and ‘Ten Ton Take’ blending seventies funk and acid jazz.
Performing tracks that the group had not played live for many years gave ‘World Keep Spinning’ a fresh outing, allowing Bartholomew a chance to share centre stage with his rendition of a track originally sung by drummer Jan Kincaid.
“Fresh and relevant”
With a rich catalogue of hits to call upon, it might have seemed unfair not to treat the Sheffield audience to favourites, and ‘You Are the Universe’ brought an infectious, invigorating set to a close.
Which direction the band will take from here remains to be seen. Last year, they performed a series of concerts backed by an orchestra; this year, they’re celebrating thirty years with these anniversary shows, and next March will see a homecoming gig at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
The natural conclusion would be some new material, though with a legacy as enduring as tonight’s performance demonstrated, it’s easy to forgive the band for indulging in nostalgia, which still felt fresh and relevant as Brand New Heavies delivered an unforgettable live experience.
images: Graham Clark
