Summer has come early. Fact. It's not the oversized sunnies, the clear blue sky, or global warming for that matter. No. Summer officially arrived at the Scala in the funky form of Ben Hudson and his crew. At a gig reminiscent of the coolest college party, it was all plastic cups and rolled tobacco while pretty young things skanked to a steel panned mish-mash of soul, rock and old school reggae. | "Their sound is a fusion of old school reggae, soul and rock, so it's no surprise they've earned kudos from NME fans and the UK hip hop collective..." | | Vanya Barwell |
This eclectic five-piece, plaited together by Hudson's seemingly Sting-inspired vocals, rocked up having just completed a three month tour of the UK. And boy, did they prove they're way more than just a support band for Amy Winehouse. Amid the line-up for 'Chalk at Scala' - two rooms of beats, DJs and soundsystems - they shone in their own right and performed what's sure to be a catalogue of hits for 2007, as featured on their current, debut album A Tale of Two Cities. It's rare that a band manages to confuse you, producing upbeat tracks that somehow leave you feeling sad and forlorn, and love songs that seem bruisingly relevant whether new love is walking in, or you're walking out.Ìý trilbies and afros Make no mistake. Somewhere among the trilbies and afros onstage, some really good music is being made. So it's no surprise that they've earned kudos from both NME fans and the UK hip hop collective; east London rapper Dizzee Rascal features in the band's 'Too Late, Too Late' video.
 | | Ben Hudson: unlimited in style terms |
When Ben Hudson says, "I don't set out to be different, it's just that I don't want to limit myself to any one style or any one sound", we're inclined to agree and thank him wholeheartedly. They've come a fair way since pub gigs and band practice in a book-lined living room, so if you were unfortunate enough to have missed out on this Scala show, buy a ticket to the next. You'll thank us. Expect a laid back, innovative and charismatic set. Listen out for lyrics like "Take us out tonight, take us somewhere new" and "young, flash and green". You'll realise that's exactly what Mr Hudson & The Library are and what they do in the very best way possible.ÌýÌý RELATED LINKS:
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