DAVID HOLMES has done it all. He's produced some of the dirtiest music of the last few years. He's done the Hollywood soundtrack thing, and he's been one of the most eclectic men with a set of decks around. But is he content? No. He's back, and this time he's brought a band with him: FREE ASSOCIATION.
I got the news I was going to see Free Association 3 nights prior to the gig. However, I'm a David Holmes fan and I was interested, but had no idea what to expect. Some of the people I spoke to at the venue shared a similar outlook. It looked as if the name David Holmes was the main bread provider for this musical family. That's why I was a little surprised to see him take a back seat in the onstage action. Indeed, the limelight was stolen by the two vocalists.
There was huge, genre-jumping action; the range of different styles was incredible, and - in a way - expected after hearing the line-up fronted by San Fran hip-hop dub loving MC, Sean Reveron and sleek, smoky streetwise vocalist Petra Jean Phillipson. The types of music were as diverse as Holmes' career itself.
The Free Association soon got the crowd jumping when they dug into their set. Some songs were far more hip-hop influenced, with manic input from Sean Reveron. Meanwhile, Miss X (Petra Jean) tells us: "First we bring you up, then we bring you down. he contrast helps you appreciate the associates."
The Free Ass would get the crowd jumping like crazy when they turned a hip-hop driven tune such as "Don't Rhyme No Mo", driven by Mr.Reveron. Then the Association would give you a little breathing space when Miss X took control of the mic. Her voice during tracks like "I Wish I Had A Wooden Heart" sounding funkier than a mosquito's tweeter, with the ability to soothe away all the injuries inflicted by the hip-hop bass attack.
|
I could tell the crowd were largely Holmes aficianados and many people I spoke with were hoping for a solo set from the ace Belfast DJ. It was easy to tell the Homes fanbase was out in force when the DJ played California Soul there was a huge response from the crowd, reminiscent of the genius of Holmes' essential mix album.
Everything about the gig was a pick and mix: the crowd, the styles on stage; the music. There was soul, groove, hip-hop. All sorts of rythmic infusions that always kept you guessing.
David Holmes was not as pronounced as the other members of the band. He seemed more as if he was backing up in a percussive role. His role was very subtle and I could make out the background noise of his trademark atmospheric tinkerings. He was more of an accompaniment for the band than the alleged presenter or leader. Ladies and gentlemen, this here Free Association's a true democracy!
|
