After a great set on the Other stage at Glastonbury three years ago we were not going to miss seeing Fantastic Negrito up close and personal on the small stage at the Jazz Café. Sadly we weren’t expecting to wait this long with this show being postponed several times.
The band enter the stage each with their own individual look and to me a Village People of funky blues, with the professor on keys, a Columbian drug lord on bass, a sixties beatnik on guitar (complete with Lennon shades), a seventies pimp straight off the ‘Shaft’ film set on drums and then the main man himself resplendent in pink trousers and fantastic white and red spotted shirt. But enough of my lame style observations and on to the show.
What we are treated to next is a hundred minutes of the finest casserole of dirty funky blues rock. Xavier is an enigmatic front man commanding the stage as he prowls across it dishing out cards advertising his new album ‘White Jesus, Black problems’ to the audience in between belting out the blues.
His voice is a stunning instrument in its own right with a wide scale to take in the highs and lows. The band are on fire with them all bringing their own style but special props to the lead guitarist who was superb from note one.
The set draws heavily from the new album which is a very personal one reflecting on Xavier’s family tree and his discovery of his Scottish roots. They sit perfectly in the set intermingled with the oldies and such is the quality and energy of the show that the time flies and it’s the 11 o’clock curfew before you know it. The setlist seems to be used as a guide rather than a rule but who cares when every song hits the mark. (apologies if the set list below isn't 100%)
The energy on stage is infectious and I defy anyone not to have boogied the night away as this audience did. There are no wallflowers at this show with the crowd dancing, clapping and hollering throughout.
On a night of highlights I am going for two really funky numbers ‘Bullshit Anthem’ and new song ‘Trudoo’ which I just love the feel and groove of.
A super night that felt like a defibrillator to the chest to send short sharp blues shocks through the system to reinvigorate our bodies. A tight band, a flamboyant front man, small venue, what more can you ask for.
Keep on funky blues rockin’ y’all.