Review: Funky Nasser
Bongolian’s fourth album launch goes down a storm in his home town
THE Bongolian, aka local lad Nasser Bouzida brought his now international band to Newbury once again last Saturday to launch his new, fourth, album Bongos For Beatniks and also play a selection of old favourites and a cover version or two.
Nass played (deep breath) organ, timbales, mono synth, drum breaks and, surprise surprise, bongos.
The rest of the current band comprised fellow Newburian and long-time sidekick Trevor Harding – bass, Gwyn Edwards – electric piano and mono synth, Dan Rooms – congas and percussion, and Swede Reinus Axelsson – drums.
Introduced by another local legend, Mr Jeff Slade, the band took to the stage dressed from head to toe in very smart, slightly casual black, each and every one topped off with matching berets and some in never-to-be-removed shades.
They hit the ground running, opening with oldies Dirt Sweat And Bones and Merve Plays Vibes, and feet were already tapping on the dancefloor.
Then we were introduced to the aforementioned new release, with tracks including opener Riviera Affair, Give It To Me (On The Left Side), Moscow Queen and Hamlet's Playground, which incredibly manages to include a medieval riff within all the usual jazz, groove and funk vibes.
This track proved a unique listening experience, and led me to the conclusion that, while you know what you're going to get from these guys, experimentation and the introduction of new styles – including Nass' “new toy” on his synth that made what I can only describe as late 70s/early 80s disco “boom-booms” (anyone remember Ring My Bell?) – is not outside of their remit.
The band are increasingly getting written critical acclaim and radio airplay, most notably by the likes of Craig Charles and Gideon Coe on BBC6 Music, as well as being favourite floor fillers in the trendier retro clubs as, if not even more popular, in the swinging club scene in Italy and France, where they are frequent visitors.
An instrumental cover of the much-recorded Have Love Will Travel and renditions of old favourites Champion (parts 1&2) and the aptly named Coming Home were other personal highlights of mine, and the appearance of the previously mentioned Mr Slade to provide an extra pair of Bongolian hands during the encore brought proceedings to a close.
Cue rapturous applause from the familiar faithful as well as newcomers to the band, including my nine-year-old son who had to be forced away from the stage by myself and his mum, once he realised the array of bongos decorating the front were indeed for hands-on aftershow use.
As he left the room making cool shapes to James Brown, much to the DJ and dancefloor boogalooers' approval, I concluded that Newbury, yet again, has more musical talent then even most locals realise, this should be showcased and cherished even more than it already is by the clued-up few.
A town centre live venue per chance?
Good times.
BILL AINSWORTH
