When afrobeat makes prime-time at the most renowned jazz club in town, you know you’re in for the good stuff. Edinburgh-based seven-piece band
Well-timed solos allow each of the band members to shine. Joel Robertson in particular performs a marvellous solo, not just on his cowbell percussions, but off a pint glass, a beer bottle and the other band members’ various instruments.
After the first song, already the crowd is dancing beneath the red lighting of the venue. Poción de Fe instantly brings you to a warmer time and place with their blend of Caribbean rhythms, Cuban salsa, and African mambo. It’s hard to believe that the musicians are in fact Edinburgh locals: lead singer Felipe Shrieberg (who is also the vocalist for award-winning band The Blueswater) is part Columbian, and wanted to mix it up and sing in Spanish, so brought Poción de Fe together to do just that. The musicians come together splendidly on stage.
Well-timed solos allow each of the band members to shine. Joel Robertson in particular performs a marvellous solo, not just on his cowbell percussions, but off a pint glass, a beer bottle and the other band members’ various instruments. The songs are punctuated with short hip-swinging dance move tutorials, and a series of entertaining band anecdotes. Chemistry is well established between the musicians and their audience which adds a touch of charm to their performance.
You never would have guessed that this is the band’s first live show, and they will likely only get better from here on out. So if you fancy dancing the night away to suave rhythms from suave(er) places than our dear old Edinburgh, then make sure that you head down to the Jazz Bar to catch Afrobeat from Poción de Fe.
