A thoroughly lively evening was fraught with difficulties for the reviewer. Essentially this was a dance (your reviewer safely stowed in the gallery) with minimal introductions and, for much of the time, great similarities in terms of tempo from number to number.
The evening began with a DJ session, all exciting Latin percussion and mariachi trumpets, with occasional visits to the Caribbean (Cuba?) and steel drums added to the range of percussion. In the misty semi-darkness a few dancers stirred, but the number had grown considerably by the time the New Regency Orchestra took to the stage with a set of Latin/Afro-Cuban jazz from the pads of the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Chano Pozo and Kenny Graham.
A conventional 12-piece front-line was backed (or, rather, given the stage lay-out, fronted) by an outstanding rhythm section of six, with conga player and drummer/wood blocks/cymbals building an infectious rhythm and the dynamic keyboards player serving as MD. Checking out the New Regency Orchestra on the internet, it appears that most of their gigs are festivals and the band seems to have a floating population, numbers varying from 18 to 20.
Section work was crisp, with the four trumpets especially biting. Soloists tended to be a bit hidden in the general sound, but one of the trumpets, one trombone and the baritone sax registered notably. It was something like the sixth number before a brief ballad offered relief from the infectious up-tempo numbers.
The programme was well planned: initially it was – in retrospect – relatively restrained, then a large man in a pink tracksuit leapt on stage and treated us to a burst of eccentric dancing. Then, as the evening wore on, he appeared more often in the audience, leading them in moves and gestures, while one of the percussionists built the excitement ever higher with his infectious vocals.
Time seemed to be of the essence. The keyboardist explained that they didn’t have time for chat – the music was too important – then, after a exciting, if rather repetitive hour and a half, it all ended suddenly and with one or two band members wanting to carry on.
On the way out the fire alarms sounded and we were escorted out into the pouring rain and the sound of approaching fire engines!
Reviewed on 28th October 2023
