The Excitements

The Excitements almost succeed in achieving the impossible. They are from Barcelona, home of the Blackcelona soul and funk movement, and set out to rework and update the classic R&B and soul styles of black America in the 60s. The all-male group are all Spanish, although the lead singer, Koko-Jean Davis, was born and brought up in Mozambique. Two of the six are saxophonists, and yet, remarkably, this is not a novelty outfit or even a covers band (though they include some lesser-known American songs in their set), because they write most of their own material and are classy performers who have clearly studied their musical history.

What's more, they have developed an impressive following. On this first night of their British tour, the Jazz Cafe was packed with an encouraging crowd for a midweek show. The band started, in true soul style, by playing a couple of instrumental pieces before introducing Davis, who came on looking like a fiery soul diva in a short purple dress and hurled herself into a non-stop set in which there was no attempt to introduce any Spanish or African influences.

All the songs were in English, and most were written by band members or the R&B-obsessed boss of their Spanish record label. They ranged from the stomping Ha, Ha, Ha to the slow and bluesy I've Bet and I've Lost Again, and most were good enough to stand against old songs such as Billy Preston's Keep It to Yourself. The playing was tight, driven on by a powerful rhythm section, and Davis was remarkable for her energy and dance routines. She sang well, especially in the slower songs, and the crowd loved her, though she lacked the power or spontaneity to match the greatest 60s stars, such as the young Tina Turner. - The Guardian, UK

Barcelona’s ‘The Excitements’ play ‘hot, hot, hot rhythm and soul’ in a genuine rhythm & blues style that pretends the 1970s hasn’t happened yet. Add to this the enigmatic vocals of US raised Koko-Jean Davis who counterbalances no-nonsense toughness with sassiness; the analogue production that sounds vintage whilst maintaining depth; and the formula is somewhat explosive – and right down in the authentic sound of some of their would-be-peers, assuming this really was the late 60s – think Sugarpie DeSanto, Etta James, Ike & Tina and James Brown. Formed in 2010, the band’s first album was all covers, and all fierce. Now they have stretched out with an album of mostly originals and it really does hit the mark.
From start to finish we are treated to a soul party you can lose your mind to as the band tear through smoking hot jams like the rip-roaring “Keep It To Yourself”, and the mean chanking scratch of “That’s What You Got”. The band are laying it on straight and thick, and they are not the only ones, as Koko-Jean warns she means business on the stinging intro to “Ha, Ha, Ha” a stomping groove inflected with New Orleans piano – a sound revisited further with “Keep Your Hands Off”, this time matched with some twangy guitar and an effective rolling bass and drums start. The pace lets up only briefly for the well pitched soulful ballad “I’ve Bet And I’ve Lost Again”, before we get back to dance floor business. We even get instructions for a hip soul dance on “The Fishing Pole”, you see it’s all about winding it in slow. “I Believe You” bounces along briskly with a chopping drum behind the verse and some effective rock n roll guitar. Best perhaps is saved for last though with the fantastic title track with it’s instantly infectious horn arrangement and piano groove.
Great soul music stirs the emotions, and raises both the adrenaline and the heat – well The Excitements’ pot is close to boiling over. Surely one of the best and most authentic rhythm & blues experiences since the late 60s, this album is killer, no filler, all thriller. - funkalicious website

Entering an animated and well stocked Jazz Cafe with everyone in full mid-week mingle awaiting the main event is always a pleasure.

My pleasure amplified just after 9pm as The Excitements hit the stage, driven by the soulful sounds of Nico Rodríguez Jauregui on baritone and Marc Lloret on alto sax, their infectious groove made toe tapping inevitable, after a brief intro we were introduced to this magnificent bands small but mighty front woman Koko-Jean Davis, whose explosive vocal delivery and high energy presence hit the ground running with a dynamite opening The Bitter with the Sweet. A possible hybrid of legendary Tina Turner and the late-great Etta James this retro soul sista captivated the iconic venue from her first note and head swish, holding their adoration throughout an adrenalin filled performance.

Lead single Ha Ha Ha enthralled before the pace suddenly slowed and the sheer emotive force of I’ve Bet “dedicated to anyone who loses someone they love” (also from recently released album Sometimes Too Much Ain’t Enough) engrossed the cafe with its heartfelt lyrics and passionate vocal climax, receiving well deserved and thunderous applause.

Turning up the tempo and a strutting Koko and her super-fly musical backbone were once again raising the roof; emerging in Barcelona Spain in early 2010 and consisting of band founders Adrià Gual (rhythm guitar) and Daniel Segura (bass) with Albert Greenlight on lead guitar and Marcial García a grand master of rhythm on drums, The Excitements superior talent and distinctive vibe have been wowing audiences ever since and tonight was no exception.

A vibrant and vivacious Koko swiftly began demonstrating some impressive retro dance moves including a kicking her height finale before, pulling at the hearts strings once again with another revealing ballad and personal favourite of hers the original and outstanding Give It Back.

Prowling the stage like a lioness with her flawless pride keeping tempo it was time for a stupid guy song story as Koko revelled in interacting with her delighted audience especially the ladies and launched into That’s What You Got, a word of advice guys do not attempt to change this fantabulous feline!

After just over an hour of hot-high octane entertainment The Excitements closed and justifiably received so much London Luv an encore was demanded, once again this Soul, Rhythm ‘n’ Blues cocktail rocked it ole-school and got the whole room keyed up before Koko still vocally fresh and even managing a costume change delivered a motivational closer.

“We were not expecting so many people, a thank you from the bottom of our hearts” the lights finally went out and the superbly talented and entertaining combo left the stage.

For more information on this exhilarating band visit www.theexcitementsband.com - MACS LONDON MAGAZINE