Fledgling artists, almost by definition, often display a lack of confidence and maturity in their performance and their content. The New Orleans born Ikil Oriion has circumnavigated those teething problems and gone head tilt into polished execution of self-confident music that rattles along with verve and vitality. Vocals can often be an issue for performers in their infancy but here they fit the bill and make good lyrics sound even better.
Anyone old enough to recall ‘The old grey whistle test’ on tv may not know that allegedly the programme derived its name from a Tin Pan Alley phrase used years before when first pressings of records were played to the old greys—doormen in grey suits. Songs they could remember and whistle, having heard just once or twice, had passed the old grey whistle test. Much the same rationale applies if you spontaneously find yourself dancing alone during the first listening to this very talented individual.
The best artists are hard to pin down to a genre, and all the better for it. In Ikil’s case one could cite numerous references. There are influences and infusions from a diverse musical spice rack – a bit of Caribbean, a dash of reggae, a sprinkling of rock, a teaspoon of punk and so on. However don’t let the mixed herb of analogies distract you from the fact that this is wholesome stuff with diamond studded production by Gordon Raphael of The Strokes fame along with a seasoned band of cohorts backing him up.
The music is tight and energetic. On ‘For better R’ worse’ the rhythm section veritably cooks. You can imagine their collective foreheads glowing and you can almost taste the spray of perspiration caught in the spotlights. The organ on this particular track has the same effect on the emotions as in Tasmin Archer’s ‘Sleeping satellite’ but here it’s evidently downed a case of Red Bull. ‘Zombie walk’ owes an historical nod to Terry Hall’s sensibilities in the Fun boy Three, while ‘you talk too much’ suddenly drags memories of Kid Creole to mind. Yet Ikil is indubitably of his time and place in music.
With a twinkle in his eye-catching appearance Ikil has a style and panache born of nature not nurture. He has a look that can charm girls and a creativity that will charm the dancing feet of anyone prudent enough to investigate his forthcoming album Paranoise Void which is due out summer 2012. His best-before date is still a long, long way off!
Review by Peter Heydon
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