Date: July 25, 2012
Venue: Le Poisson Rouge (NY)
Review by Eulas Pizarro

Melvin Gibbs Elevated Entity at Le Poisson Rouge was nothing short of amazing. As I got there a few minutes late and entered the room the band was already laying down a seething web of polyrhythms and tangled vocal call and responses enveloping the audience.

Lead vocalists Amayo and Kokyai were blending vocal styles with each other in the world that Melvin weaves together seamlessly, one referencing African music with its vocal patterns and cadences while the other Kokyai, more of the New World music lexicon blues, hip-hop and soul. These elements were also present in the drumming of J.T. Lewis and percussionist Dende (from Brazil). All these elements were swirling about the room leaving many places to pick up the thread of musical cords that were unraveled as the set progressed. Melvin was subtly conducting the whole affair with head nods and minute gestures.

As a long time fan of Melvin Gibbs and his playing this new group promises to be the culmination of many streams of sound and ideas ranging from Ronald Shannon Jackson’s Decoding Society to Arto Lindsay’s solo projects and everything in between. This music is a Creole.

The groove laid down by these players was inviting and funky. As I looked around I was delighted to see that I was not alone basking in the blissful world that the Elevated Entity was creating. The band would often lock into these grooves that allowed the music to assume a quality of “taking off’.

If you have an opportunity to see this incredibly swinging ensemble please go check out this Elevated Entity and be lifted up.