Storming, vintage soul from the Jezebel Sextet, fronted by the charismatic and talented Mudibu. 

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First commissioned by the Saint Paul Soul Jazz Festival in France, this Otis Redding tribute has been doing the rounds for some time now. It is particularly popular in London with sell-out shows at The Boisdale, Hideaway, and, last night, Pizza Express High Holborn.

The tribute marries soul-funk band the Jezebel Sextet with Burundian singer-songwriter Mudibu.

A seminal artist in soul/R&B who exemplified the Stax sound, Redding was idolised for his manic, energetic delivery and throaty, impassioned singing. In capturing the richness of his sound, the Jezebel Sextet do not skimp. The band is fully decked with a three piece horn section and utterly glorious Hammond organ.

As a performer, Mudibu has a relaxed, casual swagger and intrinsic sense of rhythm. Vocally, he switches between mellow tones and throaty bite.

In the first set he finessed his delivery of romantic ballad ‘These Arms of Mine’, and cheekily strutted to ‘Hard to Handle’ (with piercing horn work from the band). ‘Respect’, an Otis Redding original later transformed by the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, may have aged terribly in an age of ‘#MeToo’, but was done playfully by Mudibo. The first set closer, the ballad ‘I’ve Been Loving You Too Long’, saw Mudibo’s voice soar at the chorus with a touch of strain and rasp that complemented the fatalism and desperation of the lyric. The band meshed together to create a heady climax.

The second set was heavier on covers interpreted by Redding. Opening number ‘Satisfaction’, a Rolling Stones classic, was a highlight of the entire night with a brilliantly chaotic solo from organist Sam Montero. Covers of The Temptations’ ‘My Girl’ and Sam Cooke’s seminal civil rights anthem ‘A Change is Gonna Come’ followed. Some narrative and historical context between songs was the only thing noticeably lacking from the night. If done succinctly and with knowledge, this can help bring the music even more to life.

The encore included rousing renditions of ‘Shout Bamalama’ and ‘Try a Little Tenderness’. ‘Sitting On the Dock of the Bay’ served as a pleasant way to diffuse the frenzied energy conjured up by the previous songs.

The Full Band

Mudibu – Vocals
Hugh Gledhill – Guitar
Sam Montero – Hammond organ
Ricky Kinrade – Bass
Mark Claydon – Drums
Will Whittaker – Alto saxaphone
Jon Gilles – Tenor saxophone
Paul Jordanous – Trumpet

(Image copyright: Mudibu)