A touch of soul, brass and Jackson

Sunday night at the Manoel Theatre at this time of year has become a regular fixture on my calendar. It’s the night I go to Teatru Unplugged, and this year – the 14th edition – was no different.

The line-up offered a choice of acts that stretched back to the 1990s and all the way to the newest arrivals on the local music scene.

As has become the tradition, the opening act featured an upcoming young talent: singer Nicholas Montebello. Despite having performed at some prestigious events, he seemed a little uneasy up on stage, which perhaps explains why he missed a few notes. The talent is obviously there, and I expect we shall be hearing more of him too once he learns to handle those nerves.

Guitarist Mark Rapa’s delicate fingerwork on the fretboard was a delight to behold; his renditions of Cohen’s Halleljuah and Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven especially.

A little interaction with the crowd wouldn’t have gone amiss, something along the lines of sharing the story of what made him pick up the guitar and teach himself to play, his choice of songs, his influences. Other than that, his four-song set was most pleasant.

Next up was one of the Maltese music scene’s veterans of the 1990s. Ronnie Busuttil started out with Rhythms Of Vision, but it was with Flying Alligators, and later The Refugees that he enjoyed most success.

Still very much in touch with his music, Busuttil’s set was brief but effective. Drawing on his experience on the live circuit, he got the audience involved to the point of providing backing vocals on Banging on the Wall.

Equally pleasant to hear after all these years were the songs Sweet Marie and Rain Man, both familiar to those who attended his live solo nights at BJs way back.

Now an integral part of TU, Renzo Spiteri’s participation offered a fresh breath of contemporary music in an apt acoustic delivery.

Before being accompanied by bassist Keith ‘Kiko’ Muscat, guitarist Dave Randall and Andrea Britton, the latter two established British artists with an impressive CV.

Spiteri first gave a taste of his percussive inventiveness – a tiny fraction compared to the wonderment to be found on his recent album – with an opening instrumental.

Once the band joined him, the performance took on a more soulful feel, with Britton delivering beautiful renditions of popular pop hits – from her own hit collaborations with Oxygen (Am I On Your Mind) and Sunfreakz (Counting Down The Days) to Estelle’s American Boy, Imogen Heap’s Spooky (and a dash of Lady Gaga in there too) and ending with a rousing interpretation of classic anthem You’ve Got The Love.

New act Fellowfish – the new project from Chasing Pandora’s Keith Anthony along with percussionist Christophe Ladret and, on the night, guitarist Lukas Grech standing in for Kristian Vella – treated the audience to a delicate set of acoustic gems.

Besides their excellent interpretations of Iron and Wine’s Boy With A Coin and Fleet Foxes’ Blue Ridge Mountains, the band performed three original numbers, namely Happiness, Coffee, Kisses and a Cigarette and Ordinary Madness , which pretty much capture their influences and aspirations all in one.

Having just picked up an award for Best New Artist at this year’s Malta Music Awards, much was expected of Cruz’s performance. They had an extended line-up that incorporated a pianist, sax player and three backing singers, all playing an important role in the set the band has prepared.

A revamped take on Amy Winehouse’s Rehab reveals the band’s innovative side. A toned-down version of their own Red Tape ensues, followed by an unexpected Jacko number, Earth Song, by the end of which Cruz had got the audience very interested.

Flying off at a tangent and giving their set an eclectic touch, they did Bruno Mars’ Lazy Song and Aretha Franklin’s Respect (shades and all). An enjoyable set all round but a special mention must go to the sax player.

The last act dished out a great live performance, however, and, fronted by Andre Portelli, Crosswalk (plus extended line-up featuring pianist, percussionist and highly prominent three-piece brass section) performed a varied set that ranged from The Eagles’ Heartache Tonight to the rousing RnB evergreen Gimme Some Lovin.

In between, they slipped in a nifty Michael Jackson medley – obviously delivered from a rock perspective – Bob Marley’s Iron Lion Zion (a welcome reggae number), Stevie Winder’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours and Zucchero’s contemporary classic Diavolo in Me.

All in all, TU14 once again fielded a varied music mix that certainly delivered in terms of entertainment.

I’m curious to know if allowing more original material could lend a more appealing edge to the event. Kudos to the sound crew – it was perfect.