Lament

Reviews

Melting pot of Jazz and Latin is the ‘real deal’

TANTALISING jazz fusion and hot Latin rhythms, a sound you may not immediately equate to Warwickshire, but Kenilworth’s Lament have been ticking all the right boxes since 2003, and with another album under their belts the party looks set to continue.

I got into this band in 2004, and although I have never been a huge fan of the chill out grooves of Latin music, this was unmistakably the real deal; the more I listened the more I understood this type of music.

It’s very easy to get this genre very wrong, this music has a spirit and vibrancy all its own, it has to be respected and nurtured to sound anywhere near convincing.

Happily Lament are more than just convincing, indeed when they play you listen, and when they play you dance, they are a fine example of ‘finger-on-the-pulse- music.

Exciting yet honest, edgy but smooth, listen and be prepared to be swept away to somewhere less frantic, somewhere less demanding. If this is what Kenilworth sounds like, then I’m on the next bus!

Originally a six-piece, the band slimmed down to a quartet for the last blockbusting album “This Ain’t Rio”, and are now up to a five-piece (that’s Kath Kimber, Wayne Matthews, Liz Ralls, Chris Vigz and Anthony McTiffen).

The band has played some key gigs, including Warwick Arts Centre, The Castle in Wellingborough and Wales Millennium Centre. Tom Robinson has played them on his BBC Radio 6 show, and they have been Band of The Month on BBC Coventry & Warwickshire in their time.

I asked lead vocalist Kath Kimber how come a nice band from Kenilworth came to be playing hot Latin rhythms?

“Myself and Anthony McTiffen are the main songwriters of the band and have always been passionate about Latin music. Four years ago Ant went on a flamenco guitar course in Spain and this was the beginning of the new direction with lament’s sound as we took some of what he learnt into the song writing.

“What we are really interested in is being influenced by and the fusion of styles and also recognising the fact that we are British, the music is very song based and the lyrics are mostly in English. The rhythms we create are also really key to what we do. The grooves are designed to be uplifting and make people dance; however, the lyrics are meaningful and equally important

“When we started Lament we were purely a recording band and it wasn’t until a little later that we wanted to do live shows and found that we couldn’t reproduce the sound on the record live so we started to strip it back to acoustic basics and found the rawness of this really liberating”.

I’m finding a much stronger jazz influence on this CD, is that a conscious thing, or a natural progression, indeed how would you sum up your sound?

“The jazz influence hasn’t been a specific intention,” Kath reveals, “but more a result of the interplay between the musicians who are playing on the album who are contributing to our sound.

“It’s only conscious in the sense that we recruited musicians who were from a jazz background but had an interest in world and Latin music. To sum up our sound I would say Lament are a latin, jazz, flamenco, world fusion”

So what’s next for Lament?

“Currently touring with more rural touring schemes, looking for management and planning to secure European dates next year. Also the band are planning to do some research and development in Cuba to study and work with Cuban musicians”.

The new album is a cracker and I’m proud it’s come from a local band, and if like me you didn’t think you were a Latin music fan, now’s the time to take the bull by the horns, and sample a taste of Lament.

May 28 2009 With Pete Chambers, The Telegraph.

Album: This Ain't Rio
Singer Kath Kimber, guitarists Ant McTiffen and Michael Melbourne and drummer/percussionist Tom Haines splendidly exhibit their understanding of modern Latin and Spanish jazz over 11 cuts of acoustic driven rhythm. True musicality breathes through every track and makes for an enthralling aural experience.
Musician Magazine, Spring 2007.

Fronted by Kath Kimber, Lament are a fourpiece lounge jazz group that offer more than a nod towards latin infusions. For the size of band they are they box above their weight in terms of the depth of sound and score bonus points for managing to blend the distinct tone of a float into a number of their cuts. Jazz needs a certain something to take it from the elevator and into the lounge. "This Ain't Rio", packs all that's necessary to do that job. It's got bucketloads of atmosphere and a vibe that sits just above the groove and ensures that there is plenty of reward for listening. FATEA magazine.

I danced naked with Lament
How to woo your lady in a few simple steps.

1. Treat her to a luxurious meal remembering to shower her in complements.
2. Open a bottle of her favourite bubbly to relax.
3. Place Lament's latest album "This Ain't Rio" into your CD player, turn the volume up and leave on loop.
4. Take her by the hand and lead her into a slow dance around the room, giving in to the sensual rhythms, Latin beats and soothing vocals of Kath Kimber, as she shares stories of love, loss, passion and dreams.
5. If you're not naked and swaying in the arms of your lady by track 9. "Come Home Soon", there must be something wrong with your stereo.

Lament's latest offering is sensual pleasure to the ears and continues to improve with each listen. I've been lucky enough to see them live several times and am left wanting more at the end of each set. Kath's vocal finesse is enough to make any aspiring musician weep. Her rendition of "Cry me a river" has to be seen to be believed and is by far the best cover version I've ever heard (I do hope they release it some day). Backed by the talents of Ant McTiffen and Michael Melbourne on guitar and Tom Haines on drums, percussion and flute, they stand out from the crowd, adding a much needed alternative to the Rock and House music scene.

With an array of up tempo beats and sensual melodies, this album was made for dancing and romancing. This might not be Rio, but it sure is hot in here.

trew
Resident DJ @ The Liquid Wine Bar.

This Ain’t Rio - Lament
A new CD from Lament is always welcome; I mean if ever a band deserves the phrase, “What’s not to like” then surely it is Kenilworth’s Lament.

They have been picking up some well-deserved media attention of late (including BBC Coventry & Warwickshire’s Band of the Month). I doubt if a Lament article has ever been written yet that didn’t use the word ‘Latin’. It’s hardly rocket science to deduce that there is a huge element of the Latin feel to their sound. Though there’s always more to this quartet that just latin!

Indeed The albums opener “Cool” took me right back to the jazz/folk sound of the mighty Pentangle (another outfit who had no fear of musical cross pollenisation). Having said that the Latin fans will be happy with this new offering. There’s plenty of clever fretwork and laid-back grooves on this disc, though offering a much less frantic mood from their previous albums. That could be the effect of the band having slimmed down from a six-piece to a four piece in recent years.

Set around Kath Kember irresistibly smooth vocals, Lament have little trouble in creating some delicious sound-scapes. Track three “Feed Me”, is divine and probably my favourite track on the album. Acoustic guitar at its base, it moves along quite deliciously, with its jazz influence unashamedly on show. Other tracks included on this terrific album are; “This Ain’t Rio”, “No Excuse is Good Enough”, “This Is For You”, “Faster”, “Impossible 2B Loved”, “Come Home Soon”, “Days Go By” and “Where Did the Dreams Go?”

This brand new album and is available from the bands website at just Ł7.99 at www.lament.info do yourself a favour and get a copy or two for Christmas and chill out.

Pete Chambers, BBC music journalist and author (‘Godiva Rocks’ & ‘The Two Tone Trail’).

Lament Press quotes
“beautiful stuff, absolutely brilliant..” – Jimmy Franks, BBC Radio West Midlands.

“thank you for putting on such a lovely show and making the night. You will without a doubt be invited to play again sometime soon.” – Ed ,music promoter, The Maze, Nottingham.

“I just wanted to say a really big thank to you and the band….. the music really 'rounded off' the event!”- Hélčne Renard-Coadic, UKTI Passport Manager - West Midlands, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“Lament, I’ve seen them live and they are absolutely fantastic!” – Vic Minnett, BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire.

“it’s times like this when I really love my job”(taken from live session on the Anita Miah radio show) – Anita Miah, BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire.

“You guy's get better every time I hear you, which is saying something as you were amazing to start off with. The vibe on Saturday was just right. I can hardly wait till the next Liquid gig.” – DJ Rossi, Liquid.

“saw you guys at liquid last week. Absolutely fantastic, loved the vibe, great tunes” – Lament fan.

“Cry Me A River is still by far the best cover song I’ve ever heard anyone play, full stop” - DJ Trew, Prague.

“I love the Jazz influence of some of Kaths singing, a touch of Krall but very disitinctive” - Dianne Nelmes, executive producer, ITV.