A wonderful evening of summer-tinged soul.

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Ivy Chanel, born in Philadelphia and now living in London, was not previously on the radar of this soul music enthusiast. A vocal coach, songwriter, and producer, Chanel self-defines as ‘FBI’ – French, Black, and Indian (that is, Native American) – and proudly celebrates her ancestry and religious convictions. Last night she took to the stage at Hideaway – a sleek jazz club in Streatham, South London – to provide some much needed energy and warmth in this cold February.

While her to-and-fro with the audience was a touch heavy on the evangelising side for this writer’s atheistic tastes, Chanel is utterly charming with an endearing love for her craft. As one would perhaps expect from a sought-after vocal coach, Chanel’s vocal control and ease was tremendous. She has a voice of thick cream.

The setlist was a combination of ethereal, swaying melodies and more raucous funk. On ‘Make You Mine’, Chanel displayed intricate vocal gymnastics against a swooning melody full of romantic urgency. Chanel’s originals such as ‘Carried Away’, ‘For You’, and ‘Hold Me Down’ are dripping with her soul and gospel influences. But there is a distinctly modern and fresh element too. Think the crooning sentimentality of Stevie Wonder, the melodic hooks of Alicia Keys, and the floating musicality of Liane La Havas.

Add to this a well-chosen selection of covers. Chanel and her band slowed down the opening verse of Deniece Williams’ seductive ballad ‘Free’ and brought extra bounce and groove to the chorus, with Chanel colouring the song with Minnie Riperton-style high notes. She also performed a slow-burning rendition of Phyllis Hyman’s ‘The Answer Is You’ and paid homage to her Native American roots with the Cherokee prayer ‘Wen De Ya Ho’.  ‘Kissing My Love’, originally by Bill Withers, provided an injection of fierce energy into the night, with scintillating instrumental solos from each member of the band.

Chanel’s camaraderie with her band was also to be commended. Though occasionally too hushed by the sound mix, backing vocalists Ben Owusu and Nathan Lewis blended beautifully with Chanel. Both had an opportunity to demonstrate their prowess by the close of the concert with Owusu delivering pointed falsetto scats and Lewis releasing some gospel grit. Max Lauder on drums, Max O’Donnell on guitar, Raffy Bushman on keys, Louis Munro on bass, and Tuca Milan on percussion completed the line-up.

Attendance at Chanel’s next Hideaway gig is strongly encouraged.

(Image provided by Hideaway and posted with permission)