Ola Onabule-as Seen Last Night

[Dave Thorley]

Last nite Ali & John took Malayka, Che and I out as a treat to see Ola Onabule. As you do on these occassions, we sort of said OK why not, not really knowing what we were going to hear or see.

Ola is a singer from London, some of you may remember him from the early 90's when his first release made some waves on the modern soul scene 'You'd better believe', always did well in the modern room at Bretby when I was running it back then .

Well to say we were blown away would be an understatement, I went with Malayka and my son Che, so with my self included a wide range in age to keep happy. He did this in spades, even with a fairly poorly promoted event, in the theatre of a private school, in Cheltenham. Maybe about 65 people in the house or as Ola said at one stage "80 people to keep my ego happy", but he had them on their feet rockin' and clapping. He did a 2 hour set backed by a very tight band, that complimented his style so well.

You can hear the influence of one of his hero's, Frank Beverly in his vocals, but his range is much more than that, old school soul singer, jazz interrpupter, a class comtemporary act.

Che had come a little under sufference, a big hip hop fan, but as we walk he turned to me and said "now that was really good dad". Some of you may well already know him, some of you may not, but have listen to a great comtemporary soul singer.

I will put up his first, release and a few tracks from his new album, to follow.

If you see he is on locally, see him

His new album-buy it

Promotors looking for a modern act for a venue or weekender book him

Dave

Edited June 17, 2007 by Dave Thorley

[Dave Thorley]

As requested, here is info on his web site.

www.olasmusic.com check him out

Edited June 17, 2007 by Dave Thorley

[Guest lifeandsoul]

great artist and several of his albums are reviewed on my website , and there's an interview too (bit old now though). I played Soultown on the radio recently, and pretty sure I played it at Soulfusion as well.

By all accounts he went down very well in New yOrk earlier in the year. Was trying to get him to atlanta next month but I think the opportunity has passed, and through no fault of Ola's either.

He is very busy and does an enormous number of gigs in this country, at very unexpected venues, just look at his gig lists. What gets me is if he can do it why can't other people. He and his people work very hard at it, thats one reason, and I've rarely if ever heard of anybody who's seen his shows, that haven't come away happy

[Dave Thorley]

Dave is this Lp available on Vinyl...Ola's site only sells Cds...or am i missing sumert..Graham

No, it's cd only

Dave

[Dave Thorley]

great artist and several of his albums are reviewed on my website , and there's an interview too (bit old now though). I played Soultown on the radio recently, and pretty sure I played it at Soulfusion as well.

By all accounts he went down very well in New yOrk earlier in the year. Was trying to get him to atlanta next month but I think the opportunity has passed, and through no fault of Ola's either.

He is very busy and does an enormous number of gigs in this country, at very unexpected venues, just look at his gig lists. What gets me is if he can do it why can't other people. He and his people work very hard at it, thats one reason, and I've rarely if ever heard of anybody who's seen his shows, that haven't come away happy

Hi Mate

he's done six albums and not a bad one there

Edited June 17, 2007 by Dave Thorley

[Dave Thorley]

This albums actually from 2004 and this particular track is also available on DJ Biggers "Street Soul 2" CD. Fantastic track.

Neece

Your right, but it is his current album, his next one is not due out for another 3 months

[Geoff Whitfield]

Dave

Thanks for posting the tracks all excellent, always good to be introduced to new music whatever era it is from.

I have just bought the latest album off ebay plus another of his called Meaning Beyond Definition.

Both at billy bargain prices

Cheers

Geoff