Natalie Willaims + Shlo. . . I might need to change my pants

So, I've noticed that all (I'm using hyperbole) my entries (I don't like calling them blogs) contain a magnanimous SO and a life changing BUT.

SO, I went to see Natalie Williams for the first time back in January. It was one of those rare nights where someone else said "I've got something awesome for you" which I love. So we went to the ORIGINAL Pizza Express in Soho, i think it's officially called Jazz @ Pizza Express and I think you can guess that they play live Jazz and other such musical delights there. Couple that with TASTY food as well as being there with the girl I loved (yeah there is a D and the end of that one - turns out that some people aren't who you think/hope they are no matter how much you wish and try). It was set to be a WONDERFUL night.

Enter Nat. I met her now so I naturally I am on first name terms despite blushing like a schoolboy and turning more bashful than I've been. A sticking redheaded amazonian woman with a smile larger than life. She sang, she talked, she moved and she shaked. All in all. AWESOME night.

A wonderful friend of mine (the same fella who invited me to the Nomad Chef Restaurant) calls me up and says I got tickets to Ronnie Scotts, it's a night recommended by a friend of ours (she has extraordinary taste) and Shlomo is the special guest. As you know. I think he is the template for the modern individual. AGAIN, it was one of the those rare occurrences where I was slightly clueless BUT extremely excited.

Imagine my elation (and it's rare I get to use it so you'd better start imagining) to see that it was Natalie Williams and the Soul Family. I suppose they are a little bit like Shlomo and the Vocal Orchestra. A bunch of very talented people in their own right. There was guitar, bass, piano, drrrrrrums, three backing awesome vocalists, sax and trumpet/flugel horn. Terrific. TERRRRRRRRIFIC. Each had their own moment to shine. There wasn't a song where they each got a 20second bit to show off but, throughout the two halves they sparkles in unison with beautiful moments where each put themselves on a well-deserved pedestal.

I like Natalie. She has that silky smooth, rich voice with a balance of depth mixed in. Somehow (mainly because she was most of the time) she sounds like she is smiling while she is singing. I could write for hours about her smile but my main goal would be to get you to experience it for yourself. So do that.

The first half was fairly dedicated to her and her new album and everything she liked. She has good chat, there is great chemistry between all those on stage. Easy. A highlight was the cover of Bjork's Hyperballad. Never been a fan of Bjork until then.

I would say we were eased into the second half but that's a lie. Shlo wonders out sheepishly (as usual). His humility fills the room. There is silence because most people have no clue who he is or what they are about to see. I say this every time I see him BUT. Oh dear Lord. That is not right. The is something NEXT LEVEL about him. He does his bit on the loop sampler and builds a a few tracks. He claims that they will get better. He apologises when he finishes his improvised jazz/dubstep hybrid mashup - far better than most musicians could dream of doing with real instruments... I got the shivers running around and around my torso. I was blown off this planet (once again) by his genius. 'Part Time drop out gets better and better every time, especially when he hits those crazy high-notes. It is properly mindbending and induces a euphoric calm (in me at least).

The rest of the show consisted of a standout track from Brendan Scott Reilly called Little Black Cloud. BEEEEAUTIFUL. I think everyone in the room could empathise a little with that. Forgive me for now remember all the names BUT Annabelle Williams was KERRRRWALITY. Amazing presence and 'girl got PIPES'. A cover of Cannonball sent me into a happily reflective trance... That night was what I had been looking for. I'd lost me way in the world of creating reasons to have tremendous Mondays. This was a Sunday night that rekindled my love for Monday.

I would love to talk more about what happened but I fear that the more I say the less people will belive me.

We got a miniclip of Nat and Shlo's collaboration at the SouthBank - Music Through Unconventional Means series

The Soul Family in all their glory

This says it all really.

The Nomad Chef

I was honoured to befriend a good man (then a boy) 22 years ago. I am lucky to still have him in my life. He was born on 15th June 1983. As a result he celebrates his birthday each year on the 15th June. This year he celebrated at the Nomad Chef Secret Restaurant (Facebook group - HERE). I am not sure if you are aware of the idea of a secret restaurant BUT (token but as usual) it takes the notion of the home chef and in this case Shelly + Bruno = SUPER CHEFs. It takes their home and again, in this case - a beautiful apartment in Holland Park with a magical garden and a PERRRFECT conservatory that seats 18(ish). Add a little bit of decent company and combine... You have a secrect/underground restaurant. (I was tempted to do the whole, review as though it was a recipe but then I grew some taste.)

On a 'normal' night there is a mishmash of couples, small groups and singles all there to feed on the details that come from the adjoined kitchen. Having flicked through the previous menus, this wanders from Mexican and South American (haddock cerviche got me VERY curious) through Europe to India and the Far East. There is a large Californian feel to every part of the meal, be it eating family style for some elements or the eclectic spice influences in others.

A simple yet fitting premise is re-introducing the idea of the nomad to the seating plan. Everyone is welcome and encouraged change seats between courses and this keeps the atmosphere fresh and heightens the relaxed yet central social side of things.

It's been a while since I was that at ease wit dining out while still having the benefit of excellent company and noteworthy food. The hosts and the 'server' were pivotal to this. Their smiling happy demeanour were spot-on. They were keen to help and proud to serve while the interjections of detail and information on what we were eating and why were most welcome.

I will definitely go there again. The only reason I don't want to recommend it is to help maintain it's quiet secret romance. If you want in then go. BUT, once you've been you'll understand why I want to keep it a secret but can't help but tell you all.

I am sold. No matter what the weather, it is always warm inside.