Electric Harmony

'The Bluebeat Arkestra' are certainly a positive force to be reckoned with, unleashing a sound that never ceases to surprise! Just when you think you know what they're about, you come across another track from their repertoire, which changes that perception a little bit more and makes it wonderfully difficult to musically pin them down-which is no bad thing. It almost guarantees that the next song you'll hear by them isn’t going to be like the last!

It is more than crystal clear that this is a band with real passion for their craft, a vibe I picked up from the first time I heard them and one that I challenge even the most hardened musical cynic not to appreciate in some way.

With a sound alchemically honed from a bottomless melting pot of eclectic musical backgrounds, styles and influences including, but not exclusive of, twists of funk, reggae, soul, hip hop, disco, dance, indie rock, and much much more. Each tune you lend your ears too oozes an aura that convinces the listener that every member of this band is one hundred and fifty per cent on the pulse!

Singer Hayley T's visceral, honey coated voice does, on occasion, remind me of Louise Wener from 90s band 'sleeper', notably on the song 'Waves', which is a choppy number amply spread with rockish guitars and reminiscent of 'The Cranberries' in their more rowdy moments.

On the track 'Move On' (which I confess to being a bit addicted to at the moment) - a soulful disco inflected little ditty, her vocals possess echoes of Dusty Springfield and Joni Mitchell, in their timbre (expressing clever, hooky lyrics over a keen mixture of funky bass, horns, guitars and drums ) and, when played directly before or after - 'Waves', highlight what a multi-talented, versatile vocalist ' The Bluebeat Archestra' have in Miss T and one who is more than capable of delicately wrapping her pipes around the diverse platter that the rest of the team cook up.

Another element which both adds and complements the sound, is the rap styling of keji Adedeji, who, of the internet clips I have seen of the collective performing, comes into her own live. Spitting energetic bars which work harmoniously, not only in unison with Hayley T’s vocals (on the tracks which they feature on together), but with the musings of the rest of the band as a whole; not taking over, like a lot of rap has a habit of doing in such circumstances - which is a refreshing rarity to find and, particularly on the recordings, often remaining subtle and understated though by no means becoming whimsical!

Straight out of Birmingham, 'The Bluebeat Arkestra' are a seven piece unit who don't suffer fools gladly, and believe in bypassing the fickle world of large record companies, yes-no men, and uppity cool club scenesters, in order to bring you their own special, unique brand of music.

Already making waves beyond the boundaries of Brum, not only with the launch of their own ‘Hustle!’ record label earlier this year and the release of their Brewbox EP - but also with recent forays onto the festival circuit, both at home and in Europe (including a nation-wide tour for Oxjam). They have also supported notable acts such as 'Little Dragon' and hope to release a full album this coming year - so keep your ears peeled for that one!

All I can hope for, in the meantime, is that they play near me, soon - as I'm at a geographical disadvantage when it comes to seeing this band, or attending the club nights that they’re fond of holding quite regularly on their home turf. (From watching internet clips of the battalion playing live, notably their version of 'KernKraft 400’s dance hit 'Zombie Nation', I get the impression that a 'Bluebeat Archestra' gig is a lot of fun to be part of.)

I conclude, then, with a little (somewhat superficial) admission, and confess that before I had even played any of their music, it was the name that first attracted me to this band; an individual, original, quirky moniker which, I must say, accurately portrays the musical tour de force beyond.

So roll their name around in your mouth, for a beat or two...

'The Bluebeat Arkestra'

Fall for the name...

'The Bluebeat Arkestra'

Then be captivated by the band......and seduced by the music!

Review by Sam Slattery