We kick off the African Street Style 2016 programme, with another concert at the magnificent Shoreditch Church.
In true ‘street’ style, musical genres will beautifully clash, emerge and combine incredible vocalists, outstanding musicians to produce a fabulous evening of entertainment.
Backed by a superb five-piece band, we present the vocal talents of Amira Kheir, whose Sudanese-Italian heritage creates a unique style of ‘Sudani-Jazz’, transgressing Saharan blues, Nubian and Niloitic rhythyms, definitive soul influences,perfectly presented through bold improvisation and experimentation. Drawing on ancient musical traditions, Amira delivers her craft with a contemporary vibrancy reflective of London’s multicultural music scene.
Rounding off the evening is the musical triumph who are ‘Melt Yourself Down’
This amazing group of musicians continue to celebrate and reconfigure the varying influences African contemporary music culture, from blending North African influences and shamanic vocals, to dishing out soul, trash disco, and classic Afrobeat.
Formed by saxophonist Pete Wareham, they number in their ranks some of the finest musicians of their generation, with members having played with Zun Zun Egui, Mulatu Astatke, Acoustic Ladyland, Polar Bear, Sons Of Kemet and many others…
Melt Yourself Down’s 2013 self-titled debut album was widely acclaimed, an album of the year in Time Out and Rough Trade, receiving significant support from BBC 6Music which led to an appearance on Later… Their freewheeling live shows became the stuff of legend – captured on Live At The New Empowering Church, a limited release for Record Store Day in 2014.
Melt Yourself Down are Kushal Gaya (vocals), Ruth Goller (bass), Shabaka Hutchings (saxophone), Satin Singh (percussion), Tom Skinner (drums), Pete Wareham (saxophone) with Leafcutter John (electronics/production).
PLEASE NOTE: Drinks will be available, but NO ALCOHOL will be served or permitted within the Shoreditch Church.