Grounation Hull Jazz Festival 31st July By Jane Foster

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Grounation were the first and the final act to go on today, and they didn't disappoint. They're a jazz-funk-hip-hop outfit consisting of mainly Hull born musicians. Apparently they got together specifically for this year's Jazz festival, but they intend to carry on as a band, they told me. They've got a good combination of voices and instruments and I would guess from some of their family history, a lot of influences behind them..

The female singer in the band is Kath Keech, who is the daughter of Tim Keech. An experienced jazz guitarist, he owns the Keech School of Music on Spring Bank. Dave Keech is another one in the band. You can see the connections..and I would imagine a lot of music has passed through their ears over the years..

Lee Cassanell wrote a recent article on thisisUll.com about how he considers himself lucky to have been brought up in a household full of music, and interesting and varied music at that. I agree with him, and wish I could say the same - I think the total count of our household record collection amounted to about half a dozen old 45s..anyway I digress.

Grounation have two singers, Kath and The Leano who is an MC and provides the hip hop input. I was impressed by the way they weaved their two sounds together although they were markedly different. Kath has a very professional voice, maybe she has had lessons I don't know, but there was the mark of something which has been polished and refined over the years. Then maybe I'm totally wrong and she's only just started singing!!

Either way her vocals are breathy but clear and that's a rare thing to behold. I could definitely hear the jazz influences though in some of her phrasing. Oh dear, that's the jazz muso in me coming out now..not nice! The Leano adds an edge to the proceedings, he also sounds to me very practised, in fact the whole band did, including the sax player, and they were all very tight.

You've probably noticed by now that I haven't really made any comparisons to any other jazz-funk-hip-hop bands. That's because, I confess, it's not something I really listen to very often or know much about. Well, it's always good to be honest..I think personally this kind of music is best listened to live, I always enjoy it more that way anyway.

My only criticism is that they played the same set twice, although I guess this was probably due to the fact they've only just come together. I'd definitely go to see Grounation again though, hopefully I'll see them around gigging soon. I can imagine them going down a treat at the Lamp. Dunno why.. I think it's the relaxed Amsterdam café atmosphere..always good for the kind of band you can chill out to. Muchos goodos, and adios.

Albert Nyathi & Imbongi

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