After years of playing the keyboards for other artists, Detroit native is standing his own ground and already kicking up quite a storm in the UK. Off the back of all this hype, I thought I'd go down to the Forum to check out Amp in action...
After seeing Amp perform, trust me when I say that this guy is definitely the real deal. For starters if you can sound s**t hot playing in the Forum, then you must be f**king amazing. The sound quality in this venue is absolutely pants, and didn't do Amp justice, BUT the man still managed to pull it off with more style than Giorgio Armani. Working the crowd and strutting his stuff on the keyboard, Amp had more energy than any Duracell battery!!!
Amp can't be pinned to a singular music style (he has a fresh approach) but if I had to describe his music it would lay somewhere between soul, funk and jazz - at least these are the genres that heavily influence his sound. His music reminds me a mix between D'Angelo and Stevie Wonder - and if that isn't a compliment then I don't know what is...
Performing tracks like 'Waltz Of A Ghetto Fly' and 'I Believe in You' his sound is both totally new and fresh but at the same time, old and comfortable. Jazzy beats and soulful melodies accompanied by smooth, yet rough edged vocals - Amp produces a unique sound that you could just imagine chilling out to on a hot summers day.
In fact the whole band are highly talented. The two backing singers that did a short solo set each blew the crowd away with impressively powerful vocals and dance gestures. One of the girls was sooooooo good that she stole the show for a few minutes whilst everyone watched flabbergasted! The drummer banged his drums faster than I've seen any drummer move, and the guitarist held his own on stage.
These guys have the perfect recipe for success and are making tunes that are the perfect summer vibe.
Check this artist out and prepare for to blow your head, speakers and, erm, amps.
Rating: 4.5/5
Date: 22nd May 2004
Venue: Forum, London
Words By Sarah Villegas
