Michael Kiwanuka
12:30am, St. David’s Historic Sanctuary
In August 2001, Mojo assembled a CD to accompany an issue featuring Sly Stone on the cover. The disc was called Soul Riot and included a more intimate take of Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.” The issue sold well, but our team had no idea of the legacy it created among our younger readers.
Fast-forward 11 years, and the fruits of said disc have emerged through the voice and talent of Michael Kiwanuka, a 24-year-old North Londoner who admits that hearing that version of Otis’ tune forced him to reconsider his musical route, diverting him from his otherwise indie-rock path where the likes of Radiohead were on heavy rotation.
“That was where my ears pricked up,” he told Mojo earlier this year, discussing the song’s impact on his younger self and his decision to begin singing. If all of this sounds like self-referential guff, it’s not intended that way. It’s merely designed to underline the fact that despite the recent success of prefab pop and talent-show bilge, the evergreen appeal of genuinely great music continues to hold sway over a new generation of musicians.
Indeed, Kiwanuka’s second soulful epiphany followed when he heard Bill Withers’ 1973 album, Live at Carnegie Hall. Again, it proved a defining influence, and one that’s audible on the relative newcomer’s hugely impressive debut album, Home Again.
Of course, most attempts to marry rock music with folk sensibilities and soul grooves have been shining examples of how not to make music, but Kiwanuka manages to straddle both genres with the same effortless ease as Stevie Winwood during his Traffic days or even Richie Havens at his most compelling. The album’s phenomenal opening track, “Tell Me a Tale,” should be proof enough. Then again, Home Again is packed with material revealing that its creator has learned his lessons well.
In the UK, he’s been rushed to the front of the queue in terms of artists most likely to dominate in 2012. It’s undue pressure on a young man who’s spent a number of years making his own sound at his own pace. In fact, his U.S. shows will surely teach him more about his craft.
Tonight, he returns to the supportive environment of the Communion club night, where he will be joined by Daughter, Ben Howard, the Staves, Matt Corby, and the great, returning Willy Mason. That lineup alone tells you clearly it’s an evening not to be missed.
Four more Brits for Friday:
The Staves
St. David’s Historic Sanctuary, 8:30pm
Natty
Victorian Room at the Driskill, 10pm
New Build
Clive Bar, 10:30pm
Alice Russell & Quantic
Barbarella Patio, 1am
This article appears in March 16 • 2012.