José James returns for a very special show, performing work from his stunning new LP, ‘Love in a Time of Madness’.
James had a very specific vision for his seventh album: “It’s the end of my jazz career. Completely.” Perhaps some clarification is in order. The New York singer and songwriter, who in 2015 dropped a full-album tribute to Billie Holiday (Yesterday I Had the Blues), is here reborn as a powerful voice in contemporary R&B. While this is a man who’s never been defined or confined by a genre, Love in a Time of Madness is something new: a focused foray into moody soul, electronic pop, and trap-addled beats, with the occasional influence of African folk, American gospel and—as befits our host’s upbringing—Minneapolitan funk. And though James’ voice is no less agile and his ear no less adventurous, this is also his most relatable, daresay sexiest work yet, detailing love’s ups and downs without holding back an ounce of emotion.
Support comes from Layfullstop.
Layfullstop is a female hip-hop / soul artist from Manchester, by way of Birmingham. Now seen as one of Manchester’s very own, Lay has been performing on stages alongside well established collectives ‘Cul Dè Sac’ and ‘Roots Raddix’, and has managed to build a cult following since the release of her solo tracks ‘Ying Yang’ and ‘Aura’ on YouTube.
Lay’s style is an authentic mix of nostalgic soul and UK hip-hop, at times singing in the sweetest of tones, while being able to unleash ferocious bars with such seamlessness, neither style is compromised. Complete with individual eccentricity, this headstrong, fun loving introvert is letting her music do the talking, and with the year ahead, Layfullstop is definitely one to watch for 2017.
This is a standing show.
