Thursday 07/02/08 Reel People @ Jazz Cafe, London

It is said that the East End’s Reel People re-write the musical rulebook, consisting of a heady brew of the finest traditions of 70s soul and boogie, broken beat and house. They have come along way since their beginning as the pipe dream of record shop employee Oli Lazarus, now DJ/FX and percussion and founder member. Now boasting ten and counting, Reel People take to the stage a little after half nine and begin with some samba-fuelled percussion courtesy of Oli Savill’s palms.

"We’re on the run now, we’re having fun now," set the mood as ten smiles are met with grins all round the Cafe. The journey through their latest offering sees ‘Outta Love’ and recent single ‘Amazing’ broadcast the collectives’ talents to their fullest. The delectable vocals of Tasita D’Mour and Tyrone Henry harmonise perfectly during the latter and old favourite ‘Step Into The Light’ draws cheers upstairs and down.

Mike Lindup on keys took over singing duties on ‘Ordinary Man’, a much slower joint that sauntered over a majestic tide of sounds that would provide the perfect comedown on a Sunday afternoon. As such, ‘Second Guess’ was epic in delivery and length and was a fitting set clincher pre-encore. At one point Hannah Khemoh asks "Do Reel People make you high?"  The crowds’ considered response serves as an epithet for the evening.

There were some real high points: ‘Perfect Sky’ sounded like Massive Attack’s ‘Safe From Harm’ with it’s heavy almost trip hop bass line teamed with D’Mour’s caressing ‘take me away’ frequent. Leon Stenning and Tristan Banks’ took a turn each in the spotlight with Stenning’s extended guitar solo bettered only by the latter’s turn on the drums. Reel People were here to show what they could do and what was inspiring, was that the stage was big enough for all of them.

They do, make you feel high that is, but it’s not like a buzz per se. More that feeling of warm content after having all your mates round for beers and Xbox and a few pizzas. It wasn’t the night to end all nights, but everybody went home happy.