London and NYC Club and Concert Listings
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Concert Review: Dwele - Jazz Cafe, London - Tuesday 10 February 2004
Writer: Sanjiv Ahluwalia
The incense sticks burn and the sweet fragrance lifts into the air mixing with the feel good vibe. The venue is a cosy mix
of wall-to-wall dark mahogany and comfortable 'at home' sofas. Its name is Cafe Mahogany in downtown Detroit, or the 'D' as
it's known to its residents. Another 'D', widely known as Dwele (shortened from his real name Andwele, meaning "God has
brought me" in Swahili) or as 'D' to his friends, sits behind a vintage Rhodes keyboard and softly sings heartfelt vocals
that hover in the air. And a not dissimilar scene greets us at Dwele's show at London's Jazz Cafe.
Cafe Mahogany's warm fixtures are replaced by the brutal minimalism of the North London space, but both venues, though
located in different parts of the world, share a love of music and bring together a mix of people in the process.
Dwele, the consummate soul singer, shone on his ode to downtown Detroit and Cafe Mahogany, Lady At Mahogany. Moving
at a laidback pace, its serene feel hung in the air whilst Dwele teased the female audience members, providing a humorous
respite. The Dwele magic appeared when he was alone at the keyboard for Twuneanunda, eyes closed, hat partly
shielding his face, singing softly. His gentle lyrics hovered in the air as he delicately pulled deep chords from the
keyboard. It was in these
intimate moments that Dwele really impressed. His wonderful reworking of I Get A Kick Out Of You, with its whispered
phrasing and twilight jazz feel, was quite simply stunning.
Sometimes, however, the high powered musical blast of the opening songs (Pop Ya Collar, Sho Ya Right, and
Hold On) seemed to
sit awkwardly with Dwele's more sensitive soul moments. High and mighty drums and too-bright keyboards killed Dwele's light
vocal touches like a once-welcome guest who has outstayed his welcome.
Resplendent in low slung indigo dyed jeans, all-white
Adidas Superstars, a Miles Davis Kind Of Blue tee, and a fawn coloured knit
hat, Dwele had a real buoyancy about him, confidently talking with the crowd and offering amusing anecdotes. His origins as a hip
hop artist showed through with his above-average rap delivery, poise, and stage presence. But then, he also displayed an
enduring innocence about him - a lost soul (singer) in a sea of happy faces.
And a jazz feel is apparent on the anthem A.N.G.E.L, "about a girl who'll
never know that she's the reason that I wrote this rhyme / And I bet she'll
never care". A stretched-out opening replete with mesmeric drums and heavy bass moved into a Beethoven
piano section (complete with showman antics from the pianist, stolen wholesale from a Lovesexy-era Prince). That was
followed by several minutes of up-tempo Latin fusion, followed by a finale
lifted from Miles Davis' Milestones. Even if you're familiar with the original A.N.G.E.L. or the Slum Village
remix, prepare to be amazed...as you will, with the exception of a few minor asides, with Dwele's performance live.
RELATED LINKS:
Dwele - official website
Discography
Buy Dwele's Subject album at Amazon UK (
CD /
Vinyl)
| US (
CD /
Vinyl)
PUBLISHED: Thursday 26 February 2004
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