aaamusic | On 01, Oct 2010

While it’s not unusual for young players to pay their dues running the small club circuit and to finance their own debut recording, to do so and reach the Billboard Jazz Top 10, and sell an astonishing 50,000 copies in France alone, certainly is. In 2006, New York songstress, Robin McKelle did just that.  Embracing a 1940’s retro big band style, Mckelle’s stylish, sassy take on a collection of classics won her a raft of fans (in and out of the music business) and a major label recording contract with Blue Note.   Meanwhile in the UK, with Michael Parkinson championing her cause, McKelle found herself in London fronting the BBC Radio Big Band on prime-time BBC Radio 2, and performing to a sold-out crowd in London’s West End.

Fast forward four years, and what has emerged is a singer whose confidence, talent and authority has blossomed.  After two jazz albums, Robin McKelle shuns her former classic repertoire and 40’s styling’s in favour of a set of rhythm ‘n’ blues, soul, and jazz with a distinct 60’s flavour.  Mess Around is McKelle’s third album and represents a significant change in direction.   Here, she presents a gritty collection of songs that bring to mind Etta James, Ray Charles and early Bette Midler.

Two years ago, in an interview with All About Jazz, McKelle had hinted at the difficulties and importance of creative control, “I have vision” she said, “ I know what I want. I know what I hear.  I write.  I arrange.  I do it.”  Now, she comes into her own.  “I’ve wanted to do this for a long time, these songs span a number of genres which define my personality.  It’s an organic flesh and blood record”. What we see here is not a progression based on the latest fad, but the evolution of a young artist finding her voice.  Where McKelle’s second album was a more bluesy affair with one original, her third, is a down and out gutsy, stompin’ set with four self-penned songs.

Robin McKelle returns to London to perform one exclusive London date ahead of the release of ‘Messin Around’ in the early part of 2011.

Inspired by the great traditions of Ray Charles and Nina Simone, McKelle includes in her set covers by the likes of Willie Dixon and Doc Pommus and highly-successful, original takes on titles by Leonard Cohen, the Gibb brothers and Lennon & McCartney as well as her own superb originals.  While on record, she is backed by a formidable group of musicians including James Brown’s trombonist Fred Wesley and legendary sax player Houston Person, for her London date she is joined by her quartet –  Xavier Davis on Piano, Reggie Washington on Bass and Mark McLean on Drums.  Together they fully convey the immediate impact of the record, and expresses the unique texture of her timbre and the stripped-down, affection-free verve of her performance.

The Pizza Express Jazz Club, 10 Dean Street, London, W1D 3RW

Booking:  www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk  /  Tel:  0845 6027 017

Mess Around is released early 2011