A varied and interesting night of music

Posted On 14 Dec 2018 at 10:35 pm

Fred Hills Collective – live at The Brunswick, Hove 13.12.18 (pic Karl Smith)

FRED HILLS COLLECTIVE + KHANYISA + SPLIFF RICHARD – THE BRUNSWICK, HOVE 13.12.18

Fred Hills Collective was so much more thanks to his hard work, insight and creativeness – The Brunswick set the scene to this intimate cosy night.

Spliff Richard – live at The Brunswick, Hove 13.12.18 (pic Karl Smith)

First up was Spliff Richard who has been around the Brighton spoken word scene for 12 years. Oh my word the magical spoken word! So many, so fast, so poetic and so true. Spliff definitely researches what he delivers in such a mesmerising way. He could be university professor and teach them a few things or three, if he hadn’t of chosen his particular lifestyle.

Watch Spliff Richard HERE.

Khanyisa – live at The Brunswick, Hove 13.12.18 (pic Karl Smith)

Next on the bill was the Brighton-based soul/jazz songwriter Khanyisa, who again delivered as advertised. But you simply have to be there to appreciate the magic of her voice and guitar. Influenced by the likes of Bill Withers, Joan Armatrading, Erykah Badu but most importantly by her parents. Her mum is a musician and her dad a church minister, which explains Khanyisa’s confidence and natural stage present.

Khanyisa’s writing and creations mix a fusion of soul, jazz, folk, funk and reggae with a Ska-ish undertone. Her songs exude tenderness, sincerity and sass and are inspired by love and sex with tracks such as ‘Tongue Twister’. Her girlfriends favourite track was ‘Lioness’, which was dedicated to her Mum and all Womankind.

If there had been any room available at The Brunswick, then I would of definitely been up and ‘skankin’ to her beats!

Watch Khanyisa HERE.

Fred Hills Collective – live at The Brunswick, Hove 13.12.18 (pic Karl Smith)

It was now time for the Fred Hills Collective. Wow! Mind blowing collaborations with several very different talented musicians.

Fred Hills Collective – live at The Brunswick, Hove 13.12.18 (pic Karl Smith)

Collective one, with Andrew Stuart-Buttle (violin) and Alfie Weedon (double bass). Exquisite instrumentals melodically haunting.

Fred Hills Collective – live at The Brunswick, Hove 13.12.18 (pic Karl Smith)

Collective two, with Steve Smith (guitar and foot sampler). Guitar and drums, what more can you ask for, great riffs, rock, indie, jamming session.

Fred Hills Collective – live at The Brunswick, Hove 13.12.18 (pic Karl Smith)

Collective three, with Ellie Ford (harp and vocals) yep you read right the beautiful giant harp and “DRUMS!” as Fred yelled (“Sounded like Animal from the Muppets”). Great beautiful sounds and vocal, eerily harmonised. Later joined by Andrew S-B (violin) and Freya Bowes (vocals) for another gorgeous piece.

Fred Hills Collective – live at The Brunswick, Hove 13.12.18 (pic Karl Smith)

Collective four, Alex Baron (guitar) and Dan Paveley (bass guitar) for some really funky sounds, later joined by Ashley Edwards to play ‘Ketu’ brilliant!
Half way through Fred said he fluffed it up, so had to start again. I think it was just an excuse to “Reeewind!” No excuse needed for such a track.

Fred Hills Collective – live at The Brunswick, Hove 13.12.18 (pic Karl Smith)

All in all, Fred Hills put on a great charismatic show. He played drums in collective two, three four and played guitar in one. All four sound so so different. Fred did say how stressful it was putting on such a collaboration, but as part of the audience I was being mesmerized on a journey of sound, music and the talent of these musicians, wow!
Well recommended, have to be seen to be believed words don’t do it any justice.

You can download and/or stream ‘Ketu’ HERE releases and you can listen to more of Fred’s work HERE.

More info on Fred Hills HERE:
www.fredhillsmusic.com