Live Review: Billy Davis & The Good Lords, Jordan Dennis, Cool Out Sun, Mz Rizk

24 July 2017 | 12:50 pm | Antony Attridge

"Davis and co smash this set, good lord!"

Mz Rizk opens the dimly lit Night Cat with her usual charismatic style on the turntables. We're treated to soul and funk grooves as she crossfades the night away, slowly luring those wall huggers to front and centre.

Enter Cool Out Sun. N'fa Jones is captivating as he takes the stage and the crew open with native-tongue jam Yellele Skins. The crowd seem a little shy at first, perhaps because they haven't seen the talking drum Lamine Sonko is now beating out, but with Sensible J backing him up on a drum kit of his own the beat is oh-so inviting. The sound is brilliant at The Night Cat, sweeping flood lights encourage punters to the dancefloor and as the final track Five For begins people are losing their minds to N'fas quick-fire lyrics.

Now Jordan Dennis grabs the mic and it's as if Chance The Rapper's voice meest J Cole's flow. The MC is effortless as he wanders 'round the stage and the beats are interesting yet subtle enough for Dennis to flex on. We're now throwing hands up, spilling drinks and vibing on this dude's amazing flow. The dancefloor starts to get a little sweaty and we know exactly where this night is going.

The 11-membered beast that is Billy Davis & The Good Lords is welcomed by deafening applause. We're bouncing to the drums, jamming to the dope brass section and the vocalists have us forgetting what day it is. Davis himself dominates the spotlight as we cheer for some incredible skills on the keys when we contemplate how this funked-out vibe would sound with an MC on top. After bouncing sidestage, Dennis returns for that exact dope verse we crave and now The Night Cat is heaving. This huge band are tight in their delivery, energetic in their musicianship and we just want more. Davis and co smash this set, good lord!

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