I can vividly recall the first time I decided to have a ‘boy’ cut. A family friend had adorned a short crop for as long as I could remember and I was eleven when I foolishly thought that I, too, could carry off the same look. Continue reading “A Long Time Coming”
The five month wait, since the Fall 2007 collections were shown in all their finery, is finally over. The high street has gradually built up it’s own ‘interpretation’ and as the glorious heat of August finally kicks in we can now start shopping for the wintry chill that is yet to come. Continue reading “Fall 2007 Available at Your Fingertips”
I am struggling to fathom the new found love of the British woman – the Maxi dress. Why on earth would any woman with an ounce of style be attracted to the next worst thing since the Croc? Continue reading “All Maxed Out”
Hello! And welcome to the Kb blog. Blog? What’s that? Well, it is where we keep you up-to-date on what the Kb Team has been getting up to of late. So if you have ever wondered what on earth we do from day-to-day or week-to-week here is as good a place as any to start finding out…
The summer so far…
After all the kafuffle of exams we finally were able to make some time for the all important task of electing a new team. Hannah Anderson did some poking around in people’s pasts and vetted all the applicants to ensure that they were of the best possible calibre to maintain the steady course of Kb’s new look! The new team were notified and on the night of the 9th July we all had an outing to a local bar for the grand and official hand over! Champagne was popped and glasses clanged, amongst the sound of eager chatter and whole-hearted laughter and now we must bid farewell to the old and embrace the new (well almost). Here is who has replaced who:
Hannah Anderson still remains in the wings and marks a new initiative – to start creating and building on relationships with alumni members of King’s. After all, who better to give you advice and insight into the world outside the bubble that is King’s than one of our very own graduates!
And as it finally looks like we might have a glimmer of summer before the autumn comes rolling in, we’re resisting the urge to put on our skimpiest and race to the nearest park. Instead, we’re working hard compiling all the necessaries for the first edition due in October. Now that’s dedication.
Keep checking in for more details and in the mean time, why don’t you submit something that you have penned yourself? There’s no better way to get published!
When I agreed to become the Editor of King’s Bench in the blazing heat of last summer, little did I realise the true extent of what I had let myself in for. Perhaps, it was the heat wave sweeping through the capital affecting my brain’s normal functioning, or more likely it was my pure naivety and distorted perception of the world of magazines and editorials. However, a year on and only with the benefit of good old hindsight can I sit back and begin to reflect on, not only the affect it has played in my life over the past year, but also the influence it will have on my life forever more. Continue reading “Write Out of Sorts”
Chilax and kick back to listen to the calm before the storm that is Amp Fiddler. This twelve track composition takes you on a cruise down the river of soul, encirculating you with the sweet air of emotion.
Afro Strut is the much anticipated follow up album to Waltz Of A Ghetto Fly and boy, was the wait worth it. This Detroit born beauty has progressed his tales of woe and transgressed his lyrics away from that of a more generic story reflecting his upbringing on the Seven Mile. His maturity shines through in this succulent offering. His smooth style accomplishes an air of ease, with its simple lyrics and funked down melodies. It is undoubtedly the soundtrack for a Sunday afternoon wind-down.
If you only have time to hear one track make it ‘If I Don’t’ – a playful single featuring the stunning Miss Corrine Bailey Rae. The video is somewhat of a twilight zone, caught between a world of Monsters Inc and an advert for Crunchie, wrapped up in a fishy tale. The track itself could only ever be likened to ‘I Wanna Be Like You’ from The Jungle Book, with a voice reminiscent of Louis Prima (the voice behind King Louis). This really is a song bird amongst crows.
Far from a patch work quilt, Mr Fiddler maintains a steady course with his style, with the exception of ‘I Need You’ – a number that really sticks out like a sore thumb being the only song with a Rasta feel but it is nonetheless refreshing.
Afro Strut is the kind of album that makes you smile like a Cheshire cat when it graces your playlist – it paints a dopey grin on your face, leaving you helpless as you watch your feet begin to shuffle around the room, unable to stop yourself nodding your head like a Churchill dog.
Verdict: 4.5/5
Never a fan of intros, it is a rare occasion where I will appraise any attempt at these inter-track fillers. And here is no exception. However, after what I can only describe as another ‘lame’ intro, YahZarah has managed to accomplish a somewhat surprisingly mature sound for a debut album.
Like a chilled glass of water on a hot day this sound is refreshing. It is certainly a world apart from so many of the neatly vacuum packed ‘artists’ out there. YahZarah accomplishes breathtaking power in a lazy day manner – she doesn’t break a sweat. And this innate polar ability is a constant on Blackstar.
‘Cry’ represents that inner fight that is within us all – that tug of war between feeling utterly helpless yet still managing to find that inner determination that drives you on to turn things around for the better. It has to be the most beautiful track that this lyricist has to offer.
With an immense voice that seemingly reaches impossible heights, YahZarah manages to conquer these notes with an effortless laid back style that would fool even the most tone deaf into thinking they too could do the same. Not that I am bitter, albeit that I have the lung capacity of a fog horn and the singing talent of a toad.
It is hard to say what has inspired this album but undoubtedly this DC girl was influenced by her extensive travels whilst working as a back-up vocalist for Erykah Badu, before she broke off and successfully pursued a solo career.
In parts, there is a scent reminiscent of TLC, which does detract a little from the overall uniqueness. However, as first attempts go, Blackstar is a far cry off shoddy and I eagerly anticipate the next chapter of this soulful story.
Verdict: 4/5
One word – Outstanding.
Closer Than Veins, the much anticipated third album of this Danish trio, is a seamless collaboration of soulful enthused Hip Hop entangled with a Hispanic twist and the result is a storyboard, beautifully laid out before you, each track drawing its own distinct picture.
Unlike their previous two albums, this one was not solely penned by the band alone and welcomes contributions from the likes of Gihad Ali and Omar Shah.
‘Introspective’ sets the tone for the whole album – a soldiers march. This is clearly an album that sets out to represent those who do not have a voice. Outlandish aim to send a message and luckily for them their message is heard loud ‘n’ clear thanks to their cultural blend, blunting the hard edges of Hip Hop and continuing to carve out their own unique mix of multi-ethnical sounds and original lyrics.
‘Look Into My Eyes’, based on a poem by Gihad Ali, concerns the Palestine-Israeli divide and carries with it a painful reminder – America do you realise/that the taxes that you pay/feed the forces that traumatise/my every living day.
The high point of the album is undoubtedly ‘You’ve Seen’ feat. Sami Yusuf (a well-known and sought after British Muslim artist established on the home circuit) – his Bollywood and Arabic sounding vocals tells to us a mouth watering tale of longing and stands proud of both the English and Hispanic rap also included in the track.
Another gem comes in the form of ‘Beyond Words’, a collaboration with Burhan G encapsulated in a theatrical circus-like melodic tune.
This is a melting pot of pure talent which burns through the tasteless Hip Hop which we all too painfully have to swallow. It spins it stories of tragedy in with words of hope and is a thought provoking product which cracks open the concrete barriers of ignorance.
Verdict: 5/5
After his twice MOBO nominated debut album, Set the Tone released in 2004, Nate James had a lot to live up to with his follow up album Kingdom Falls. However, the man of soulful funk ‘n’ rock has met that challenge and squarely kicked it up the ass. James’ cream of raspy tones pour over us, continuing to demonstrate the diversity of his vocal abilities. This man is genius.
With the exception of a rather stagnant ‘Thinkin ‘Bout You’ (we are all entitled to an off day I guess), Nate James draws us into disbelief as he surprises us with funky melodies, quirky beats and lullaby lyrics a second time around.
This second album offers us an undeniably irresistible variety with what can only be described as a hint of Mary J Blige in ‘Choke’, JT’s synthesising ways in ‘High Times’ (an irresistible body-moving track) and a Prince-type feel in the soulfully sexy ‘S M F’ with enticing lyrics that allow you to fall into a land of fantasy.
The album entitled track ‘Kingdom Falls’ presents us with a darker, eerie and futuristic presence but the absolute highlight of this album has to be ‘Wonderland’; it brings us back to a hip hop jiving smokey Manhattan jazz bar – just stay strong and positive are lyrics that perfectly encapsulate the feeling of this track.
It is more than luck that afford this album the merit it deserves but Nate James can now breathe a sigh of relief as a lot was on the line for this young man this time round. After the renowned success of his first album, he decided to pour all the profits into setting up his own record label FROFUNK under which this sophomore album has been released. There can only be more good things to come.
Verdict: 4/5
When I review an album I listen to them endlessly for a couple of days – first impressions, afterall, can be made in haste and can all too often be mistaken. However, not wanting to join Walt Disney’s sleeping beauties, I could only bring myself to listen to SOULDified for no more than a day (at a push) and as few times as possible. This album is just plain boring.
The first time I listened to SOULidified I started to question things (and I am not talking about the big ‘Why are we here’ philosophical puzzle). Was this two songs or just one very long track? Has the whole album played through already? Have I not heard this somewhere before? Unfortunately, these questions resulted in doubts and these doubts were only confirmed after playing the album for another pain-staking second time.
Now let’s make one thing clear, SOULidified is not awful. Far from infact. However, it is mundane and has the pungent stench of something that has all been done before. One track rolls into the next and you struggle to fathom where one begins and another starts as this Zambian born, London nurtured artist belts out a voice that, if I am honest, could belong to many.
The vocals samey and the music indistinct, even the lyrics lack inspiration and insight. ‘Sweet On You’ is a prime example of this lack-luster attempt at a ‘chart-breaking’ album. With lines such as Like honey to a bee / Tastes so good boy / Sweet on you, I am yawing already.
The bad bits aside, SOULidified does provide an easy listen and the perfect soundtrack to lull you off into a dull doze. All the while teetering on the fine edge of being completely predictable.
I am dumb founded as to how this artist has received any acclaim as the only thing she can really affirm is her abundant desire not to make her mark on the industry.
Verdict: 2/5