With the crowd suitably Buttered-up by the support, Andrew Ashong took to the Sugar Club stage to deliver his Choice Cuts. Of British Ghanian descent, and brought to this writer’s attention through Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide show, this was a much anticipated gig. Ashong’s Flowers was chosen by master beat purveyor Gilles Peterson as his track of 2013, it announced him to the world and slowly word is getting out. His eponymous EP was released a month ago. Soulful whisperers with this much talent can only flourish.
The aura he projects is Bob Marley without the super-stardom. It’s not just his Rasta demeanour and compelling voice but also the trappings as seated African beauties strum on their base and six string guitars and Ashong’s dreads pertrude from his peaked cap. He is new to this, not music but to gigging acoustically and being the main attraction. It happened on a whim when GP asked him to bring his distinctive brand of funk out of the recording studio and onto the live stage. Prodded by the indomitable radio dj, who he credits with his recent rise and this spate of gigs, he felt he couldn’t refuse.
On stage he’s restricted in that he can’t really recreate the full band sound and expert edits that he put out with Theo Parish from the comfortable confines of the studio. He is bashful in acknowledging this to the Sugar Club crowd who come to terms with the paired back versions of Flowers and Special before embracing them. What is clear is that Ashong is progressing and improving as he gigs, gaining in confidence.
Amongst the crowd was Avril Stanley, the creative pulse of the Body & Soul festival that has flourished as the best part of this country’s best festival, Electric Picnic, over the last decade. Its inevitable growth has led to a stand alone version held in Ballinlough Castle. The first raft of acts for 2014 were released last week but the chief scout will be filling the bill soon and will probably be persuaded by tonight’s fair. Depending on her view of Ashong’s brand of soul he could find himself in Westmeath for a weekend in June. It would be a perfect fit and equipped with a full band this show would be something special.
Later Seven Davies Jnr took to the decks treating the audience to his cosmic funk: don’t be surprised if he’s given a late night slot in Body & Soul on the back of this.
Weekly Music Choice 