New Street Adventure

New Street Adventure released two albums on the Acid Jazz Label, 2014’s No Hard Feelings and Stubborn Sons in 2017, before disbanding the following year. Whilst never making the big time, they were much appreciated on the UK underground soul scene. Lead singer and songwriter Nick Corbin pursued a solo career, releasing the Sweet Escape LP in 2020, as well as producing a string of excellent singles on his own Big AC label, by artists such as Carmy Love and Abi Farrell, which have since become highly collectable. The band reformed last year for a tour to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the release of their debut album. Buoyed by the affectionate reaction they received, they have now signed once more to Acid Jazz and released a third LP, What Kind of World.

I was lucky enough to be at their triumphant ‘farewell’ gig at a packed 229 club in London back in 2018, when they brought the house down with their energy and passion, so it was with some anticipation that I entered the Scala, expecting a similar experience. However, despite What Kind of World being a step-up in terms of musical sophistication and production, on the evidence of this gig, they have regressed as a live act. Despite the presence of, or maybe because of, backing singers and a horn section, the band seemed to lack fire and a few numbers in the feeling came over you that this was one occasion that was just not going to happen. Perhaps there is a problem in trying to reproduce their now more laid back sound live, for while the new album is highly agreeable when you are chilling at home, when you venture out to a gig you want to feel something that gets you moving (at least I do). But this was a night for slippers instead of loafers.

There were good moments, and there is no doubting Corbin's ability as a song writer. Everyone’s a Music Maker is a tough piece of 70s soul/funk, reminiscent of Sly and the Family Stone, and Busy With my Baby is a gorgeous two-stepper. Best of all, the acoustic number When I See You With Him, inspired by watching his mother play with his young son, is genuinely affecting. But overall the material felt too one-paced, and the band, whilst all being fantastic musicians, barely interacted with each other or acknowledged the audience, as if it were a recording session and not a live performance. Such was the lack of bite, they even failed to do justice to old favourites such as On Our Front Doorstep and their northern soul inspired anthem The Big AC. Indeed the highlight of the evening was when Carmy Love took over as lead vocalist for her own single ‘Ain't Gonna Waste My Time’ and Corbin jived around the stage, actually looking like he was enjoying himself. Maybe I just caught them on a bad night. They are due to play the 100 Club early next year, and perhaps that hallowed venue will bring out the best in them.