Concert Review: KITA, Whammy Bar, 1 August 2020

Whammy Bar presented super sets of Soul music from KITA and support act Ed Waaka, for suburban Millennials and sundry Pseuds, Sophisticates and Soul Survivors.

Ed Waaka is a New Zealand singer/songwriter who is probably better known as a collaborator with electronic acts like Dan Aux, MC Tali and ASKE. That could all change as he has a fine soul voice that comes to the fore about half-way through his set.

He has great back-up tonight from drums and bass, and I recognise Nick Dow helping out on keyboards.

War on the Streets opens with soft waves of rhythm guitar. Then the band comes in with a slow groove, a funk bass and keyboards sounding like vibes. Sound coming straight off Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On.

A song I think is called Gonna Fall at Your Feet. Jazz and Funk base from the rhythm section, then a few cymbal shots bring in the keyboards, sounding like the rain from Riders on the Storm. With the steady throb of the bass, the song builds and rides. Similar feel to following song, Love and Protection.

This next song is about people who talk shit, says Ed. He starts it off with a wah-wah rhythm guitar lick, and his vocals lift a level and continue for the rest of the set. The rest of the band quickly lock in to the groove and ride it. Voice continues to surge smoothly and peak. A great version tonight. Everyone talks some level of shit, otherwise no-one would talk much.

His most recently released track is called Revolution and is show-cased tonight. This was inspired by the recent events around the occupation of Ihumatao, and to the wider aspects of Maori history, social issues and restoration of mana. Through his music he favours a more inclusive, loving approach than a divisive one.

Tonight, the song starts with a Funk bass intro with some scratch rhythm guitar. Then the smooth soulful vocal comes in and the band ride along on a smooth groove. The keyboards lay out a beautiful Stax sound. What if we could be/ Everything we were meant to be/ Can’t you see/ Love is all we need.

While you could call KITA performers of Soul music, they have a wider palette of styles from which they draw influence.

Nikita Tu-Bryant is the guitarist, singer and visual focal point of the band. She sings with a timbre similar to Grace Jones, but with a more pronounced Soul accentuation. So that would put her closer to Etta James or La Vern Baker, than the sweeter sound of Carla Thomas. So, this long-time Soul music fan is instantly won over.

The trio is completed by Ed Zuccollo on keyboards, and drummer Rick Cranson.

Through the Trees opens with tom-toms on the drums. Twanging guitar and an austere Soul vocal. Slow and snakey lyric progression. The guitar lines follow Sixties Stax into Albert King territory.

Strong No More is Eighties Electro-Soul. But it starts with a Stax rhythm, throws in some twanging guitar, and ends up a smooth Urban Blues.

Foggy Town is off their EP and has an Urban Blues beat to begin. Rhythm riffs from the keyboards. Jabo Starks time-keeping on the drums. Backbone loosening Funk as it progresses.

Try to Find a Way is the opening track of the EP. Begins with twanging guitar and Surf licks. A sultry melodic vocal, and then Nikita slowly powers up the voice against the atmospheric sounds.

Breathe is also an EP track. Seventies Soul with some light Funk rhythms driving it. The singer keeps everything moving along smoothly. Until a Funk Jazz breakdown slows it all down and finishes the set.

Back for an encore Unsheltered. Washes of distortion, rumbles, electronic effects until the drums enter and we finish the night with an extended workout of smooth Soul.

KITA are a Wellington-based band. They are working on an album with producer Tommaso Colliver. I understand that this year’s circumstances have intervened, as with all musicians. But they have released this EP Trying to Find a Way, and it heralds a dynamic and sure-to-rise Progressive Soul outfit.

Rev Orange Peel

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