Kyla Brox - Live... At Last (2014)

This double helping of Kyla Brox with the added dimension of the live sound will please Kyla’s many fans and without doubt win her many more as this album receives the airplay it surely deserves. The opening CD is a laid back, cut down and intimate acoustic set with the second CD featuring Kyla with her multi-talented band; it really is the best of both worlds. Some of the tracks you will recognise from previous releases but these are live versions that have that raw energy of a live performance. Kyla’s vocals are the star of the show whether sultry and low, freeform and jazzy or bluesy she oozes class and vocal dexterity and on top of that she plays a pretty mean flute showcased on ‘What’s Left On The Table’ and ‘Don’t Mess With My Man’. On the acoustic offering Kyla is provided with a musical bedrock of Danny Bromley – Acoustic Guitar and Tony Marshall – Saxophone who add tonal texture and shape throughout the first album. The solo from Danny on ‘Working On Your Love’ is raw with emotion and reflects the soulfulness of Kyla’s vocals. The spoken interaction from Kyla makes you feel in the room and you feel the surprise Kyla does as Danny takes control of the set-list with ‘Love Too Much’ and finding the stand out track is impossible but ‘Do I Move You’ is very special and love the interaction with the audience, Kyla’s voice, flute, guitar and sax are melded together in harmonious perfection. The self penned ‘Gone’ is emotionally special and the perfect track to bring this stylish acoustic live CD to a close.

The second album recorded live at The Great British R&B Festival in Colne in 2012 sees electric being plugged into the full band, Danny now on Bass; John Ellis – Keys; Paul Farr – Electric Guitar and Rick Weedon – Drums opening with a jazzy Hammond-driven ‘Ball and Chain’ as the full sound pours from your speakers as Kyla demonstrates how to hold a long note. ‘Grey Sky Blue’ live is very special with the cool intro that characterises their sky that is grey blue, this is blues that her band excels in laid back and emotionally charged with layers of sounds that showcases the vocal range of Kyla’s vocals. ‘Shaken and Stirred’ is definitely funky with the addition of special guest Franny Eubank on harmonica adds to this rendition. This album is full of rockin’ beats and the last two tracks just pour more and more icing in the cake… with ‘At Last’ and then the encore ‘Wang Dang Doodle’, when the trick up Kyla’s sleeve is the master Victor Brox. This is a duo of albums that are musically alive and draw you in they really are a listening experience as we all know that Live music is just magic… Kyla captures the magic and shares with you every note on this double album so sit back and enjoy again and again…