aaamusic | On 16, Oct 2011

Oxford, 11th October

This was an extremely busy gig for this avant-garde, dubstep 7 piece band from Leeds.  They have a contemporary electronic feel and experiment with funk, drum’n’base and jazz to produce a calm, chilled out sound.

 

Submotion Orchestra comprises Tommy Evans (drums), Dan Templeman (percussion), Chris Hargreaves (bass), Ruby Wood (vocals), DJ Ruckspin (production), Taz Modi (keyboard) and Simon Beddoe (trumpet). In style they could be compared with Cinematic Orchestra and Morcheeba

 

Their adventurous debut album Finest Hour combines downtempo fusions with heavy bass lines and lively percussion. It’s released on an appropriate label, Exceptional Records.

 

This was a stunning, passionate and energetic performance which captivated the audience. The soulful vocals of Ruby Wood were soft, sensual and superb. Her gentle and graceful lyrics took you from the heights of elation one moment to the depths of melancholy the next.

 

Final Hour, the penultimate number, had a haunting, fragile and angelic feel which helped you float away to some new creative height.

 

This is a talented and versatile band with a variety of styles. They’re rhythmic and hypnotic in a futuristic way and have a fresh, confident and original sound.

 

Setlist: 1. back chat 2. thinking about you 3. sunshine 4. always 5. spy theme 6. all night 7. all yours 8. pop and lock 9. jibber 10. finest hour 11. blind spot.

 

Author: Anthony Weightman