Nubiyan Twist are a band with Norwich connections and a strong following here. This being an incredible ninth appearance in our city it was yet another deserved sellout crowd to welcome them back to the NAC. Support was from the excellent Hannah Tobias whose soulful songs quickly filled up the auditorium.
Nubiyan Twist pretty much filled the stage too with the best part of a dozen of them featuring horn section, percussion, bass, drums, keys, guitar and some shared vocal duties though most of the singing came from the highly charismatic Nubiya Brandon, who will also be known to many Hempolics fans.
They played an intoxicating blend of hip-hop, jazz, Afrobeat, reggae, dub, soul and world that had people dancing and lost in the music throughout.
Following this I made my way to Jurnet’s to catch the final hour or so of this month’s Cave-In, which has been extremely well attended on my last few (occasional) visits and this was no exception. Great atmosphere, music and plentiful familiar, friendly faces as always at the Cave.
“Nubiyan Twist don’t like to place boundaries on their music – so they don’t. The group draw from hip-hop, ska, soul, funk, and more, a heady brew that aims for the waist and smashes straight through the heart.” – CLASH MAGAZINE
“Alive with carnival and Afrobeat rhythms and tight brass riffs, this debut album from a UK-based big band covers the broad space between dub, soul and the jazzier end of hip-hop.” – Financial Times
Nubiyan Twist are a Leeds born, London based musical collective. Orchestrated by guitarist/producer Tom Excell, they create a unique, infectious sound in an eclectic mix of styles, drawing on jazz, hip-hop, afrobeat, latin, soul, reggae and dance music.
With a 10-piece live show featuring a 4 piece horn section, vocalists, electronics and an international (Brazil/UK) rhythm section, Nubiyan Twist create a powerful and unforgettable experience.
Their debut album received strong support across the Jazz, World music and Hip-hop press, with support from sources as diverse as Huey Morgan, David Rodigan, Craig Charles, The Independent, Songlines, Afropunk and SBTV. This was followed up with Siren Song in May 2016.
The band have performed on huge stages across the world, being chosen by David Byrne to perform at Queen Elizabeth Hall for the south bank’s Meltdown festival, selling out London’s iconic Jazz Cafe, and rocking festival stages from Fusion to Wilderness, Boomtown to Edinburgh Jazz Festival, with their powerful sound and unique blend of styles.
@RShashamane
http://www.nubiyantwist.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/pg/NubiyanTwist/
http://www.norwichartscentre.co.uk
http://www.norwichartscentre.co.uk/donations/
http://www.facebook.com/hannahtobiasUK/
http://www.facebook.com/NorwichMusicCityUK/
http://www.facebook.com/NorwichLiveMusicPhotos
http://www.facebook.com/ShashamaneArtPhotography/
http://www.instagram.com/rshashamane/
Norwich: Music City, UK. A Norwich playlist of well over 30 hours of local music on Spotify:
