Shakatak

There is the distinct whiff of a 1980s wine bar on Shakatak’s records from their heydey, and live this enduring jazz funk outfit still had that feel; the very definition of ‘smooth jazz’. Bill Sharpe’s instantly recognisable keyboard licks and George Anderson’s thumb slapping bass hadn’t changed much, but the surprise was vocalist/flautist Jill Saward’s percussion skills, with explosive bongos and timbales flourishes lifting the samba and latin instrumentals that revitalised a slightly samey sounding set. ‘Invitations’ and ‘Down On The Street’ had the capacity crowd partying like it was 1982, but ending with a cheesy cabaret medley was unnecessary.

Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham-By-Sea, 11 October 2014

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