HORACE ANDY @ JAZZ CAFE, LONDON

The Jamaican roots reggae musician played two sold out nights in London following the release of his last, chart topping studio album, ‘Midnight Rockers’, of which he also recently released a dub version. He played with the Dub Asante backing band, who opened the show on a reggae cover of the theme tune of ‘The Godfather’ which they redubbed as ‘The Jahfather’.

Horace Andy entered the stage to a soaring guitar solo singing around his new song ‘This Must Be Hell’ from his last album. Andy’s smooth, lullaby vocals were echoed by the rumble of the trombone, then onto the sway of ‘I’ve Got To Get Away’; the descending trombone moving into a solo and the reggae trademark tin clatter of drums.

The band performed ‘Money Money’ which they played sped up into a frenzied chaos for the latter part of the song. Andy perform what he called his favourite song and then fan favourite ‘Skylarking’ – from his 1972 debut studio album of the same name – with its dancing trumpet and bass, once again speeding up the track at the end.

He finished on newer song ‘Rock To Sleep’ with whistling keyboard and a brief dub part with pedal effect guitar and slowed down drumming, a cover of Bill Withers’ ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ and ended the show on ‘Leave Rasta’, in which he interwove a checklist tribute to many African countries and an instrumental crescendo build.

31/07/23: Horace Andy @ Jazz Cafe, London.