So I guess the best thing about this Twitter thing is its got me thinking on my feet. As such, here’s a quick review of the launch night of Arale.tv tonight that took place right here in London upstairs at The Lexington.

Got to admit I didn’t know what to expect when me and the lady tipped up just before 8pm. The main reason to drop by was to cop the exclusive 7″ (physical vs digital? – cmon, the little purple 7″ looked so much nicer) that was being given out with admission that featured bits from both Muhsinah and Ben Jones (coming soon to the Soul-Identity radio stream), and also to catch the DC vocalist after her impressive showing here in London at Favela Chic last year. Since descending onto my radar after that session with her Daybreak LP, she has been slowly making a name for herself – appearing on the latest Common and Foreign Exchange LPs to name a couple and also getting the aforementioned Daybreak LP signed to Japanese label Circulations, before dropping her sophmore effort ‘The Oscillations’ back in March. Anyways straight to the point, she didn’t disappoint with another strong set of tracks (‘Once Again’ being a particular highlight) and a stage presence which I think really endeared her to the audience. Definitely one to watch in the coming months / years.

However, I got to say the thing I most got out of this session was witnessing Ben Jones and the live band he’d put together. Ben Jones was definitely a new name to me and someone I’ll be checking for more closely now. The lad definitely has some skills and he’s surrounded himself with some major players. Anyone who copped the Tawiah EP early last year should be aware of the genius and talent that is Jodi Milliner, who during the night got busy on the keys and bass, and the rest of the band were as equally tight. Three songs in with guests vocalists Leon King and Vula bringing the soul, I was hooked on the sounds. Seems despite trying to keep up will all  the suff that’s being put out on a weekly basis, there’s defintely a pool of London talent and session musicians yet to be discovered (or maybe I’m just not trying hard enough). Anyways it made for a refreshing change. Hopefully this wasn’t a one off session and people will continue to get the chance to check them out and see what the underground soul artists London still have to offer. And for my sins, I still haven’t managed to reach the West London Jazz Refreshed Sessions which I just know are essential viewing and thrive on a similar policy. Feel free to call me LATE anytime soon. Have to also drop a Special mention to the Arale Warm Up DJ, Ben from Honest Johns who I personally thought KILLED it with the old school boogie selection. Respect is due.

In other news, today we had confirmed that another UK talent, Colonel Red will be flying in from Rotterdam to join us on Saturday for an exclusive UK PA to launch his label and upcoming EP ‘Roaming Lion’ at our Future Thinking night with Domu in the Cosmobar basement. Still just £3 on the door before 11pm  so just an added reason to come check us out on Sat. Should be a heavy dancefloor session. But more about that tomorrow.  I need to get some sleep.