Likened to a split personality, Mamma Freedom knock you out with one hand, while plucking on your heat strings the other. It’s like watching a storm flatten a building, with anger and fury one minute, then seeing the sun break through the next. It morphs from chaotic to calm in the beat of a drum. A lethal combination of heavy, moody, hard driven, beat laden funk rock, and hip-hop and soaring, warming, uplifting soul with raunchy blues. Mix in a heavy Sly and & the Family Stone 70’s funk influence, Zeppelin / Black Crowes style drive, soaring cinematic strings, and powerful harmonies weaved together by producer Alexander Johnston using his unique production styles and wall of sound, and delivered by singer/brother J, whose gravel driven, velvet tinged, soul soaked voice scales effortlessly through the range of life’s emotions.
Mamma Freedom are joined by iconic R&B man Alexander O’Neal. Securing his name in the R&B history books with chart smash ‘Criticize’ lighting up dance floors across the world twenty five years after its release, O’Neal’s sound has transcended generations.
Originally released in 1987 from his album ‘Hearsay’ the single recently entered the UK charts once more. Signed by Prince to Warner Records back in the early days as part of ‘The Time’ his journey in and out of various band formations propelled him to be the solo artist that we best know him for today. American born, Alexander O’Neal has created a cult appreciation across the globe. His back catalogue transporting his singles in to the UK and Billboard top tens as well as a triple platinum selling album and ever expanding discography.
With his heart firmly in the music industry and a loyalty to the thousands that still buy his records, O’Neal’s passion to keep his sound alive is ever present.
MEET AND GREET ALEXANDER O’NEAL!
We’re hosting an intimate meet and greet with R&B legend Alexander O’Neal at the show – get up close and personal with the man himself, and take away an exclusive souvenir included in the ticket price. Meet and greet tickets are very limited.
Mamma Freedom are:
JV Johnston – Vocals, Guitar
Alexander Johnston – Keys, Vocals, Production
Christopher J Calcott – Lead Guitar, Vocals
Richard Redfern – Keys, Vocals
Gareth Bourne – Bass
Robert Marsh – Trumpet, Flugel
AJ Dawson – Sax
Dan Hudson – Drums
‘Preachers and Criminals’ and ‘The Voodoo Suite Session Vol. 1’ are out now on In Touch / CMI Music Group. ‘The Voodoo Suite Sessions Vol. 2’ is released later in 2017.
This is a standing show. Presented by Band on the Wall and SJ Media.