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We Don't Want It Unless It's Brand New (Heavies)
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For this Laist contributor, the love for The Brand New Heavies began with a little Heavy Rhyme Experience. Before LL Cool J went unplugged and before The Roots became the only contemporary Black (hip-hop, r&b, pop or rock) band with national acclaim and radio airplay in America, there was this eclectic group of British cats getting supremely funky underneath my favorite rap group in high school, The Pharcyde. From "Soul Flower" 14 years ago to last night at The Roxy, we've all been through a lot.
Garth Trinidad spun the tracks before the live performance and spoke briefly about DJ Dusk. He wrote an amazing letter about him that sits on Fusicology right now. We took a moment of silence before Kim Hill introduced the band. It's been a long time since N'Dea Davenport has performed with them. Her energy on the stage is at a different level than everyone else's. She's practically exploding with delight. The entire band is sweltering on stage as they easily get into their crowd-pleasing groove and perform popular and familiar tracks from their catalog like "Dream on Dreamer" and "Midnight at the Oasis." One night after Morningwood blew everyone's minds on the same stage, BNH is reminding this audience why they love them.
We all sang along. We all danced. We forgave N'Dea forgetting the lyrics to "Brother Sister" and we nodded our heads in approval to the new tracks they showcased for us. We love that they are back in the studio. Apparently, you can come home again. The Heavies have been through 2 other lead vocalists since Miss Davenport left them and while we love Siedah Garrett on Shelter, there's something really special about the original mix.
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Most of us left The Roxy sweaty and satisfied and anxiously awaiting the next time they'd roll through Los Angeles and bless us with another groove excursion.
Photo by *Rising*who we hope won't mind.
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