‘Bass-driven, distinctly British, and groove-laden.’

–

While a late sound-check meant that this writer had to stand outside the venue in the drizzle, the 1990s acid jazz group came through with an impressively tight set at Nell’s Jazz and Blues.

Founded in 1989, D’Influence were part of the UK street soul scene which exploded in the 1990s – including the likes of Soul II Soul, Brand New Heavies, and Jamiroquai. Beginning by selling records directly out of a van to Soho record shops, the group gained attention for their impressive live sets – ultimately supporting the likes of James Brown, Michael Jackson, and Prince. They also have a thick catalogue of production credits (Mick Jagger, Mark Morrison, Shola Ama, Jay-Z etc.) – which founding member Kwame Kwaten reeled off with deserved smugness.

As Kwaten explained to the audience, the group were inundated with phone calls begging them to gig after a rehearsal video was uploaded onto Instagram in 2016. This resurgence of interest led to a gig at the Jazz Cafe and other engagements. Recently, the group have returned from Johannesburg, South Africa after supporting Erykah Badu on tour.

Lead singer Sarah Anne Webb still brings casual, satin vocals to the game. Removing the mic stand off the stage at the second song, she glided across the stage for most of the set with care-free energy – dancing with audience members by the close.

The group began with ‘Magic’, a cut off their third album London (1997), which immediately banished any concerns that they had somehow lost their flare after such a long hiatus. They followed with tracks such as ‘No Illusions’ (well-harmonised), ‘Midnight’ (funky), and ‘Good 4 We’ (triumphant). ‘When the bass comes in, you must receive it correctly,’ instructed Kwaten – priming audience members for a swaggering, sexually-charged rendition of London‘s opening track ‘Hypnotize’.

‘There Can Be’, another track from London, broke up the string of uptempo numbers. A serene gospel-coloured ballad, ‘There Can Be’ was the perfect outlet Sarah Anne’s gossamer voice.

They closed with a one-two punch of ‘Phuncky Times’ (Prayer 4 Unity, 1995) and ‘Good Lover’ (Good 4 We, 1992). Bass-driven, distinctly British, and groove-laden.

This gig took place at Nell’s Jazz and Blues on 06/10/18. You can check out other Nell’s events here. 

(Image copyright: The Echo Label Limited)