Get Involved Charabang - Rich Mix (8th May)

Arriving at Shoreditch’s Rich Mix for Get Involved’s Charabang Launch party, I was met with the unfortunate news that the breakdancing magician had to pull out.

That should give you an impression of the eclectic mix of new talent on show at the first Get Involved Charabang last Wednesday night. Magical Bones’ exclusion was a shame, and judging from his YouTube channel it’s a sight to behold, but the night showcased some of the best rising London acts around.

First to the stage was Arthur Lea, who channels the rootsy upbeat New Orleans Jazz of Dr. John with remarkable Jazz piano chops. 

Lea’s got that Delta spirit running through him, rooted in offbeat, bouncy riffs – but his lyrics tell his own story, covering topics from dealing with loneliness to wanting to be a superhero; the latter with audience-participatory zoom! and pow! sound effects. Check out 'Make Do' below.

Next up was the frankly unbelievable beatbox wizard ReepsOne. Reeps is a force of nature, and is able to exploit his vocal chords into producing an unstoppable frenzy of electronic music. He mentions onstage that occasionally he’s hired to play two-hour DJ sets armed with nothing but a mic and PA system, and you can believe it. Close your eyes, and you could be listening to some actually quite brilliant Dubstep, Electro and Drum & Bass.

That’s the most impressive thing – Reeps doesn’t just produce impressive sound effects and sit back for the applause, but moulds and layers them into music you would actually listen to. As he puts it, it’s not replication – it’s creation.

And in true variety show style, we go from the basements of 2010s London to the glamorous Boogie Woogie of 1940s Hollywood with self-proclaimed ‘vintage girl band’ the Tootsie Rollers. The Tootsies stormed through a dazzling setlist of contemporary classics, authentic 40s numbers and an original track that shows they’re past imitation – these girls are the real deal.

Rounding off the night were The Royal Organ Duo. The South East London natives play like Booker T & The MGs and banter like Chas n’ Dave; and use instantly recognisable pop classics as a platform to launch into all kinds of knockout jazz improv. Respective masters of organ and drums, the Royal Organ Duo don’t play covers as such – they take just enough elements of those songs we all know, from Jessie J to Led Zeppelin, and spin off into inspired and unexpected places. If you’ve never heard a lounge jazz play on Stairway to Heaven – now’s your chance.