In 1981, Pino D’Angiò seduced not only his Italian compatriots, but also their neighbours. His smoky voice and the striking bass line from McFadden & Whitehead’s »Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now« made »Ma Quale Idea« the perfect sound for drunken nights on the dancefloor – and a worldwide hit. Wouldn’t it be presumptuous to try to build on this success from back then? The British band Cousin Kula proved otherwise a few weeks ago when they surprised us with a more subdued, yet groovy version of the Italian classic. There could hardly have been a more fitting tribute to the Italo disco icon who died in July.
Vitamin D
The five-piece band from Bristol in south-west England, which doesn’t exactly boast hot temperatures and sunshine, always manages to bring the sound of summer into every living room, no matter how chilly. Even the Worms Head peninsula in South Wales, known for its harsh climate, is made to look like a summer paradise in the video for ‘Hangin’ On Your Lips’. Despite the lashing waves and strong gusts of wind that toss hair and clothes around. The sunglasses are in place, the satin shirt flutters and the sound remains unmistakably smooth, somewhere between neo-soul, jazz and psychedelic pop.
Berlin stays hot
Out of necessity, the »Kasa Kula Cassette« was created in the lockdown year 2020, a handful of smooth, jazzy tracks that went straight from the living room into the hands of DJ Bradley Zero. Since then, all releases have appeared on his label Rhythm Section, which also represents artists such as Jordan Rakei and Jayda G . In addition to their own tracks, the band frequently interprets songs by greats such as Outkast, Erykah Badu and SAULT, which emphasises their affinity for soul and groove.
If the first EP »OODLES« in 2017 and the follow-up »STROODLES« two years later made it possible to get to know each other at a slower pace, then the debut album ‘Double Dinners’ provided the soundtrack for undisturbed togetherness. Now, for the first time ever, the band ventured on a headlining tour outside the UK and took the opportunity to present the tracks from their latest album »Vitamin D« live. For their Berlin debut on 8 October at Kantine am Berghain, the Brits crowned the evening with an extended saxophone solo and left the audience dreaming that summer – at least musically – never has to end.
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