By Rich Hill
Local reggae band Audio Razor kicked off an evening of live reggae in fine style at the Phoenix on Friday.
Opening the live music line-up in the auditorium the Exeter-based 8-piece overcame a delayed start and technical problems to deliver a fine set of original tunes, warming the room up nicely for head-liners Solo Banton and Soom T. Audio Razor have a lovely, warm reggae sound and the quality of their performance is matched with impressive song-writing and musicianship. Intelligent lyrics and infectious beats delivered with expression and enthusiasm feature in a live act that is growing in confidence and range each time I see them perform. Stand out tracks were Comes and Goes from their début EP and the closing number, a gorgeous, cow-bell-driven, ska romp called Sasquatch. Find Audio Razor on Facebook for further details and gig dates.
Stricly Steppas kept the music going whilst the stage was set for Solo Banton. Solo has a big stage presence and the voice to match it. Backed by the superb Upper Cut Band Solo gave a performance full of personality, humour and hugely impressive vocal dexterity. Visually impressive and with a genuine rapport with the audience this was a crowd-pleasing performance and very well-received by an appreciative Phoenix audience.
The evening was rounded off by the incredible Soom T. The Glaswegian singer/MC has a truly remarkable voice. By turns mesmerising, vibrant, staccato, urgent and playful she has a truly unique sound that defies pigeon-holing. Sadly there were further technical issues which added to the delays suffered throughout the evening and a very fine performance was abruptly cut short a couple of minutes after 2am.
The delays and technical issues aside, this was an evening of superb music and Bare Safe should be applauded for bringing acts of this calibre to Exeter and linking them with superb local talent.
RH