The Soundtrack is a regular night hosted at Ronnies bar (above Ronnie Scotts on Frith street), which features film shorts from up-and-coming producers, live music (usually with a filmic theme) and a DJ set.
Tonights theme was James Bond, and event organiser Oggie, his band and guests took to the stage after the film showings. Playing both originals and James Bond songs, the band managed to get the crowd straight into the groove with their sound-check song Welcome to the Soundcheck, which led into a few originals which were groovier than a 12.
Formed of Oggie on vocals, a drummer, bass player and pianist, the band laid-down some slick neo-soul for the night, getting the crowd dancing and involved in the call-and-response thing, later giving way to the new James Bond song by Jack White and Alicia Keys Another Way to Die, featuring Oggie and guest singer Shaka on vocals. Another guest singer closed the set with a nice rendition of the James Bond classic Diamonds are Forever.
The live part of the night was rounded-off by soulful/ bluesy/ folksy/ un-classifiable band RAE, to a now pretty-much packed Ronnies Bar. To the uninitiated, RAE are a band from London/ south east, featuring Rachel Bennett on vocals, Peter J. Pinto on guitar, Matt Earnshaw on drums, Jem Clark on bass and backing singers Corine Armstrong and Lynieve Austin.
Up until now, the sound on the night had been good, but it looked like the larger configuration caused problems for the PA, with the first few numbers plagued by feedback, bad levels and a bit of distortion.
By the third number Roughside - a funky blues-driven song, the band had got into their stride, and most of the sound problems had been addressed. It was in this number where, after the guitar solo, the band were allowed to stretch-out and do their thing a bit, which the crowd really seemed to appreciate.
The band chose to play originals for the whole night, which on the night worked out fine, but I did wonder if, for a less on-side crowd, they shouldnt throw in a cover-or-two just to help set the pace. One thing that really helped was that the band maintained the momentum throughout, barely stopping between numbers. Even when Rachel was addressing the crowd, the band had already started laying the foundations for the next song, in readiness for Rachel's vocal - a nice touch!
My personal fave Earthbound - a pared-down number featuring just vocals and guitars (Pete on lead, and bass player Jem on rhythm guitar duty) seemed to really captivate the audience and got the biggest applause of the night. Being a jazz bar, Ronnies bar is not the biggest venue in the world, making it intimate already, but with Rachel seemingly addressing everyone individually as she was telling her stories, and maintaining eye contact throughout the songs, it really made it a special night.
On the night, the only number which didnt seem to hit the spot was Pastel Parade, which seemed to be on the low edge of Rachels vocal range, and with its morose subject matter including slavery, was a bit of a downer to my ears but topical, as it was on the same night that Mr Obama would make history, getting his place as the US president-elect!
The band are currently working on an album, and from what I heard tonight, it should be an interesting affair.
All-in-all a great night was had by all and I guess went on until the wee small hours, but I departed shortly after midnight so as not to miss the last train.
So, The Soundtrack (every Tuesday night from 6PM) is looking like a promising night of music and film for the London scene and its even free entry before 9PM (5 after)!