I found out about this gig just the day before and knew immediately it would be a low-key, understated event.  The regal room is very easily over looked, sitting above the distillers bar in Hammersmith, and was the setting for a very cosy, intimate evening.

We were lucky enough to catch the last few songs performed by the amazing Eileen Hunter – more to come on her in the coming months I am sure.  Nate James came on with a small backing – just a guitar, piano, and one vocalist. 

I was immediately impressed with the sound quality and acoustics of the room.  If this session had been recorded, it would be a shame if we didn’t see it on a record shop shelf in the future.  The performance itself comprised a few tracks from the new album “Kingdom Falls”, the title track inspired by his recent visit to Rwanda.  “Funkdefining” which is serving as an appetiser for all the new material, and – to the delight of everyone in the room – a brilliant version of the song that started this journey – “Set The Tone”.  On a personal note “Just Say Yes” was a standout track, and will probably prove to be when the album is in the CD changer. 

The performance was effortlessly brilliant from Nate James and his band, and it was pleasure to be in such a close and personal environment to experience it.  The new album “Kingdom Falls” looks set to be a great success, especially in Europe and Japan, and hopefully - with the support it deserves – in the UK too.

V