La Raza, 13th March, 7.30pm, £5-6
WATCH: Rina Sawayama’s band, Lazy Lion, in The Staircase Sessions
When Stevie Wonder said that music was a ‘language we all understand,’ he was definitely referring to the bringing together of Cambridge University and Anglia Ruskin through the medium of song. The Vintage Party at La Raza, which featured acts from both camps, had more soul than Mama’s sweet potato pie.
La Raza was the perfect venue for such an event. Its intimacy created a laid-back atmosphere which suited the genre of music performed, and made The Vintage Party exactly what is promised to be – an exciting celebration of the styles of yesteryear.
First to take to the stage were The Ruskin Soul Band, with singer Dimitra Tzanakaki. They played an energetic half hour set of crowd-pleasers like Twist & Shout and Respect, and were outstanding in their tightness. The drumming in particular was a highlight of the evening, and acted as a necessary heartbeat to the all the soul.
Dimitra has an incredibly distinctive voice, merging the bombast of Aretha Franklin with a husky note that would not go amiss in a rock band. She is at her strongest when she is allowed to go a bit mental and show of her range, and often sounds like a Greek Prince. One can only hope she gets around to releasing Thieves In The Temple (Of Zeus).
Rina Sawayama then appeared with equally beautifully-named guitarist Felix Faire. Wearing a fur coat and tasselled jacket, Rina was the height of vintage – like Yoko Ono dipped in liquid cool. If she looked the part, then she certainly sounded it too, singing covers from Jessie J, Alicia Keys and Bill Withers.
Well, singing is an understatement. Rina’s voice ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous and is completely unexpected out of her dainty figure. For the closing songs of her set, The Ruskin Soul Band played along, and inter-university music history was made. If there was space to move among the volume of people, the crowd would have been dancing on any surface available.
The Vintage Party was exactly the kind of inexpensive fun that the Cambridge music scene needs. Only one missed opportunity nags the brain of this reviewer, that is, the potential for Rina-themed cocktails. The Rina Colada? The Apple Sour-yama? No? Anybody?
COMING SOON: Staircase Sessions Feat. Rina Sawayama
