With Floetry and Joss Stone flying the Union Jack on both sides of the Atlantic, things bode well for the new career of this young, British soul singer. James’ debut single ‘Set The Tone’ was a great mix of contemporary R&B and old style soul so on that evidence alone, I’m intrigued to see and hear if his live show would present much of the same.

At just after 9, he arrives on stage with a cheeky smile and full band. For a man who is relatively a newcomer he has a full crowd support tonight and kicking off with opening song ‘Said I’d Show You’, has a fair few revellers dancing. While this song demonstrates more of a disco feel than a soul classic the smooth voice pushes through and the cheeky smile has all the women giggling and blushing behind their boyfriends. When you hear Nate James, it is easy to make a comparison to Lemar. Although both sing similar types of music there is something more credible about Nate James.  He just seems to have that gritty London aura and for some reason you feel prouder of him.

But while the talent is most definitely there, the variation isn’t. His debut album Set The Tone is full of tracks that unfortunately sound very similar. Running through most of track-listing, the songs start to bleed into one.

 

Having said that, stand-outs are ‘The Message’, his current single ‘Universal’ and ‘Funky Love’, for which he bigs up the talent and looks of  Carmen Reece – apparently the UK’s answer to a female Nate James.  Together they produce a smooth duet with more than a few sparks of chemistry. But ‘Set The Tone’ is by far the best from tonight with its infectious funky groove and in my opinion deserves a re-release.

Nate James has a talent hard to argue with.  With his kinky afro, he looks great and with his soulful voice he sounds sensational but his songs are just too forgettable to make him the cream of the crop. With a reworking, he could be worthy of well-deserved recognition. For the moment, Floetry and Joss Stone still have the one up on British soul.

(3/5)

 

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Photos: Lauren Glucksman Check For Live Dates