Posts mit dem Label Jungle werden angezeigt. Alle Posts anzeigen
Posts mit dem Label Jungle werden angezeigt. Alle Posts anzeigen

Freitag, 21. November 2014

Jungle (UK): the rise of Modern Soul

Red painted walls, smoke coming from the stage, a huge chandelier at the entrance, round tables that aren't for table dancing anymore: that's the location where I had the pleasure to attend the show of one of the most outstanding bands of the British Music scene. I'm talking about Jungle, modern soul collective from London, already acclaimed this summer at several Festivals around the globe.

Jungle's concert took place yesterday at Komplex Klub in Zurich, former Dollhouse Stripclub, a club venue that kept the original interior and the vibe of being somewhere tabooed. Lush! I love this kind of places! The show was a total sold out, and you could easily notice that by seeing people still standing in the queue outside when the guys where playing already.




The concert was opened with "Platoon", a track that made Jungle famous worldwide last year, a wonderful choice to break the ice. There were fingers snapping, people dancing, no place was more appropiate to have all those different kinds of mirror balls everywhere: the 70s were back within seconds. I'm not kidding: the best confirmation for my statement were a couple of ladies and gents, being in an age and looking like they really were present during the hippie happenings almost 45 years ago. So if they were dancing, then it means the show was good.
Jungle have oldschool Disco and Soul running through their veins, that's for sure, but what it's making them unique are the modern and psychedelic beats added in each song. You can think about Daft Punk, can hear some MGMT out of it, or even feel Jackson 5 out of it, but you'll admit at the very end that's nothing exactly comparable to Jungle's sound. If I had to give to this wonderful collective's music a Definition, I'd say modern Soul with a touch of Disco. Period.

Photo: Jungle Official


A packed Komplex Klub

Frontmen Tom McFarland and Josh Lloyd-Watson, on stage with their band ("composed of friends and friends of friends"), proved to have a great control of their voices live and sounded amazingly good. They could have might interacted more with the audience, but I belong to those persons who thinks that as long an artist's performance is done right, I'd forgive them not talking. Could be the nerves, or as a human being, could be a bad day as well.
After warming up the already overheated club with songs from their only and current album like "The Heat", "Julia" or "Accelerate", the final explosion of emotions, the coronation of an evening catapulted a world I thought I missed out, was given by closing track "Busy Earnin'" and the encore with  "Time".

Watch Jungle closing with "Busy Earnin'" here:


Jungle were booked as opening act for Pharrell Williams after releasing their debut album. You could imagine why: Josh and Tom's voices are a delight, their singing is very similar to Pharrell's, but, unfortunately for him, they are way better live. These band is on the right way to shine. I can't wait to see them play again! And what do we learn? Yeah, vintage inspired music will never die, because it's still the strongest one to touch People, brings generations together and it's timeless. We got the proof yesterday night.



If you missed Jungle live in Zurich yesterday, you have the Chance to experience them tonight at Les Docks in Lausanne. Get your ticket here

Rest of the world, grab your Dates here! There are Shows planned for Europe, US and Australia until March 2015

A Special thank you to Mainland Music for having me.





Donnerstag, 23. Oktober 2014

Jungle (UK): the groove is coming soon to Switzerland

There was no other Newcomer band in the UK lately that was able to let several press members speculate around about them. Rumors came up in the internet, talking about an anonymous duo, acclaimed to become the new Daft Punk.

I'm talking about modern soul collective Jungle, a London based band, which released their first Album this year . The record is funky in a total innovative way. The vocals sound like in 70s or early 80s disco tracks, the beats are modern, catchy, including Tropical prercussions, wildlife noises and psychedelic washes. If I should attempt some comparing, I would Switch between a few artists, actually: MGMT (the psychedelic sounds), Daft Punk (part of the guitar riffs) or even Jamroquai (that catchy, funky sound).



Funny thing is, that These two guys, "J" and "T", didn't really want to make a whole secret about their persona at all. The only fault of these two talented young men was to release their first single "Platoon" last year,without picturing themselves, and choosing the 6 year old breakdancer Terra to be the Superstar of their Music Video. That's it. Critics were expecting them to play behind a wall at their tour start. Like Daft Punk showing up with helmets or Gorillaz being cartoons. None of that. The duo just put together a band, mostly composed by their friends and went on stage. The moment came where the names finally popped out: Jungle are Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland, it's no secret anymore. I think they still have a laugh about it, when the whole story is mentioned in interviews.

Have a look and a listen to "Platoon" here:



After a successful festival summer and a totally sold out UK tour, Jungle are ready to hit the rest of Europe. So, if you are in Switzerland, go for it! Jungle will make a stop in Zurich, and play at concert venue Komplex 457. Do you wanna know who they are and move your hips a little bit? Get your ticket here.

Jungle (& Special Guest)
 
Album: Jungle
Release: 2014
Showtime: 20.11.2014 20:00
Venue: Komplex Klub, Hohlstrasse 457, 8048 Zürich

Presented by Mainland Music and Takk