Blues Kitchen, Manchester – 10th December 2023
by Gregg Howarth
They say that music has a great power for bringing people together. They also say (whoever “they” are) that it is important that in a world that has so many divisive ways of driving wedges between people that it’s important that we preserve as many ways of experiencing common humanity as we can and in all my time as a gig attendee, photographer and reviewer I can’t remember this being more evident than tonight. As I’m sorting out my camera, I look around at this place filling up with people, I have to be honest and say that I don’t think I have ever seen such a wide demographic of people all here for the exact same reason – Change.
After buying my wife and I tickets, I felt very honoured when The Blues Kitchen approved my photography and reviewer application for their final show ever. My wife had waited over 40 years to see them live and I have little if any exposure to tonight’s subject matter, so, no pressure then!
Arriving 20 mins before the doors to the upstairs venue open gave us time to have a quick drink, but due to technical issues there would be a delay of around an hour. No problem as it gave us time to drink in just how marvellous The Blues Kitchen is. It has retained some of the décor originally fitted during its former life as a Victorian Eye Hospital, and blended them in almost seamlessly with owner-sourced items of décor that whisk you back to 1920’s art deco riddled Southern States USA. They serve up good old American soul food and house beers and a huge selection of bourbons and gins. Check their website out here.
Transmission Tower
The evening started with Transmission Towers – A new collaborative 3-piece that bring a Greek/Garnayan/Cockney/Scouse inspired sound that would be best described as deep soul/funk, but with more. More depth, more groove, and more of a rare groove feel. Tonight was only their second live gig but you’d never have known from their well polished stage presence.They have pages on all the socials, but not yet on the likes of spotify because they have no plans to release anything until next year, but I would imagine that they will build a well deserved following between now and then.
https://www.facebook.com/TransmissionTowers
RSL
Next up to ply their wares onstage was 9 piece RSL – A story some 20 years in the making and still going strong. If you can imagine Santana without their prolific stand-out guitarist, then you may just be getting close to what this high energy high impact soulfully funky samba/salsa/conga band bring to the party. If you’d have closed your eyes you could have been anywhere from Africa to Brazil or Cuba. A highly polished sound with 2 singers that compliment the band perfectly.
https://www.facebook.com/RSLmusic
Change
And so, on to the headliners – Change. Change are quite possibly one of the most – If not THE most, influential but underrated 1980’s Euro-American club-styled R&B disco bands ever. They were originally formed back in 1979 in the home of the Ducati – That being Bolgna, Italy, and have been pretty much a revolving door of vocal and musical talent throughout their life. They showcased the talents of Luther Vandross, Jocelyn Brown and more. They have collaborated with some massive names and bands, and have been credited a solid source of samples on other songs by the likes of 50 Cent, Janet Jackson and Aretha Franklin amongst lots of others,At the Blues Kitchen for their last leg of their last tour. There wasn’t a single place left in the 500 capacity hall. Everyone stood with little or no room without a single care in the world, dancing as one whilst belting out every word of every song as Rick Bannerman and the band ran through what amounted to a greatest hits package lasting for around 2 hours almost without respite. Tonight is all about the music, and a well deserved thank you to one of the most inspiring, copied or sampled acts that the 80’s club and dance scene ever produced, and it shows
Cobspix Photography 