BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WHAT are the ingredients of a spectacular night? Get a classy venue with a heavenly setting, an appreciative audience hungry for music and add ‘Untitled Band’- a newly formed band with top vocalists - and you have one spectacular night!
‘Untitled’, whose output offers an eclectic mix of genres including Jazz, Neo- Soul and Pop, all with a Caribbean flavour, had its official launch on Feb. 1 at Cloud 9 located at Port Zante and featured top class vocalists, Charles Emanuel and Paige Thomas.
Although the name ‘Untitled’ is a bit unusual, it makes perfect sense. They have no limits or boundaries when it comes to music, and their approach is necessary for the listeners who thirst for something different.
“We wanted a name that would reflect our approach to music,” said Band Leader and keyboard artiste Azem ‘Royal’ Bailey. “‘Untitled’ says we have no boundaries and that we want to explore and experiment with our art. Plus it sounds really cool when persons ask ‘What's the band’s name and we say 'Untitled’.”
Bailey, who is a former member of the Royaltiez Band and who studied Show Production, Touring and Engineering, has been a member of several bands and ensembles.
“I got my start in church and a lot of my musical identity was forged while I was a part of the Basseterre High School Symphonic Band under the direction of Mr. Wingrove Hicks,” he said.
The band was formed in April 2011 and after several rehearsals and fine tunings, have performed at a number of private functions. Their recent performance was the band’s public debut performance.
Bailey said that great chemistry and love for music add to their unique sound as some of the musicians of the band have been playing together for about eight years.
Along with Bailey, the other core members of the group are Kemmari 'K-jah' Armstrong (Drums), Franklyn 'Flippy' Huggins (keyboards) and Da'vid 'Blakey' Blake (Bass).
“Untitled’ has worked with several very talented singers including Charles Emanuel, Paige Thomas and Nickhail Rogers and we're looking to build close relationships with a number other vocalists,” Bailey said.
Persons who attended Wednesday night’s event were left truly impressed with the range of music performed from Maxwell, Erykah Badu to Mary J. Blige and Andre 3000 of Outkast.
The band also delivered some soca hits and showed their versatility and range.
“We understand that music is bigger than any of us individually or even as an entity and we want to contribute positively to its development.
“We wanna play music we love and create music that others can appreciate. Persons hearing us play can expect to hear an eclectic mix of genres and a high level of musicianship. Any type of music you can think of is performed to perfection. ‘Untitled’ brings that 'Feel Good' feeling,” Bailey said.
It is hard to gather the perfect synonyms and adjectives to describe the unmatched vocals of Emanuel and Thomas.
Emanuel is now well known having performed at various functions as well as being a regular at Island Xpressions and is certainly on his way up with his talents, while Thomas is like a butterfly of smooth talent, not as popular as Emanuel but her talent is just as major.
She was able to transform her voice to fit each song she sang while still keeping her distinct style.
Patrons would welcome hearing more of this band and more people definitely need to hear it.
“We are currently looking to bring our brand to a wider audience and to become a main player in the Kittitian sound scope. We also want to offer variety to local listeners and hopefully help to promote and introduce them to new sounds. We also have a real passion for the development of music and art in general and we really hope to contribute to the creation and appreciation of all forms of expression,” Bailey said.
For more on the band, persons can check out their Fan Page on www.facebook.com by searching for Untitled.
