Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"There's every chance these guys are going to be winning a MOBO Award in the future" - MOBO Magazine
With as much groove as you could shake a rhythm stick at, The Reluctants displayed the fruits of months of gigging with a slick, infectious set. The hip-hop groove collective merged hi-energy, funk, soul and rapture with accessibility and a relentless feel good vibe. Spearheaded by a vocal trio, and mainstay of the band, rappers Knowledge and MD neatly wove in and out of the sweet seductive tones of Maiko. Never easy to get the balance right with three singers, but they clearly understand the art of musical seduction. The sense of cool wasn't saved just for the music, with a stylish urban fashion chic as fitting as their uber cool sounds. Maiko bringing the rock chick look firmly into the 21st century.
The three full time members were joined by some of the finest session players in London, and each for the love of music alone - and it showed. Drummer Del's lightning hand speed and unwavering flow was a pure beat fest. Their comfortable presence in both playing and spirit, with tracks including Certified Crazy and Is That What You Want, filled the room in a way that made all feel welcome. You didn't need to be a fan of hip-hop to dig it. Even the rock-heads in the crowd loosened their limbs and moved to the groove.
They began by thanking the house sound engineer and ended by applauding the Buffalo Bar for putting on the show. Polite and warm to the end, they fully deserved their rousing reception. The encore, an impromptu James Brown Sex Machine style thang, closed the show with as much energy as it began. A fitting way to end their live year.
The Reluctants are Knowledge, Maiko and MD.
The session boys were Oli (guitar), Marco (bass) and Del (drums)
For more info visit www.myspace.com/thereluctants or www.the-reluctants.com
4/5 - Music-News.com
Discography
Mean To Be - The Reluctants
Is That What You Want - The Reluctants
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
“Sonic Soldiers� - Touch Magazine
“Slick, infectious…hi-energy…they clearly understand the art of musical seduction�
- Music-News.com
The Reluctants have attracted major industry attention since their arrival on the urban music scene – their unique style and sound was instantly recognised by MOBO Magazine, which recently voted them ‘Ones to Watch’. They have also been the subject of extensive coverage in other publications such as Touch, Rewind and New Nation.
MD and Knowledge come from a small West Indian community in Telford, West Midlands, and have been writing and performing together for over ten years - initially as hip-hop duo, MDK. In partnership with producer Kleiko, they recorded a vast collection of tracks under the moniker DAE (Digital Audio Entourage). Kleiko produced the track ‘Who Dat Dere’ that shot MDK into the limelight when they won Diesel-U-Music’s prestigious Best Urban Act award in 2003. MDK then went on to work with London-based producers, Afreex, on a number of projects: their debut album, Our Life…Your Entertainment, Urban Music Award-winning mixtape, Union Black (collaborating with top urban artists such as Omar, Sway and Kele Le Roc), and MDK mixtape, WOi!: Volume 1.
The Reluctants was formed when Knowledge and MD welcomed Maiko to the line-up. Her unmistakeable vocals bring a soulful yet edgy sound to the tracks, and have helped define The Reluctants’ fresh, eclectic sound. They perform with a five-piece backing band and have developed a repertoire of tracks that infuse a unique rock/hip-hip foundation with the smooth overtones of soul, r n b, reggae and funk. The diversity of their musical influences has brought fans of many genres together at gigs across the UK, and made them a favourite with music lovers at West London’s Ginglik club - a renowned hotspot for soul, jazz, funk, alternative and latin music. The Reluctants are performing a monthly residency at this venue throughout 2007.
Among many other venues and events in previous years, The Reluctants have performed at London’s Jazz Café (supporting Pharoahe Monch), the Nelson Mandela Tribute Concert at Hammersmith Palais, Cargo, the Barbican, and the Coca-Cola Rev Festival. Last year they were also invited to perform at the Festival of Youth Arts as the finale act, and headlined at venues such as The Notting Hill Arts Club. Their support has also been enlisted for a number of charity events run by the Children’s Society this summer - check out www.myspace.com/thereluctants for more details on upcoming gigs.
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