Ola Onabule
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Soul jazz singer Ola Onabule is proving himself something of a well kept secret as despite his credentials of performing a specially commissioned aria at the Royal National Opera last November, or his backing vocal duties for George Michael and kd Lang as well as touring with Dianne Reeves, Natalie Cole and Gladys Night, he remains something of an unknown in the mainstream.
Constant touring and a well received fourth album 'Ambitions For Deeper Breadth' are making his name, and hopefully his Universal debut one this year will bring him the recognition he deserves, yet his beguiling voice and subtle mix of classic soul and jazz has made him a live favourite.
Onabule is finally making some waves beyond the arts scene crowd with his striking new album ‘In Emergency, Break Silence’ that through vibrant performances from his cracking band, that features the slippery keyboard skills of Pete Adams, delivers a much needed warmth and feeling, ironically lacking, in many other contemporary ‘soul’ acts. Wearing his emotions very much on his sleeve, and with a three-octave range that rumbles and soars by turns, Onabule is a much underrated talent that easily rivals the likes of US jazz-soulsters like Will Downing, for both impassioned songs and delivery.
Onabule is finally making some waves beyond the arts scene crowd with his striking new album ‘In Emergency, Break Silence’ that through vibrant performances from his cracking band, that features the slippery keyboard skills of Pete Adams, delivers a much needed warmth and feeling, ironically lacking, in many other contemporary ‘soul’ acts. Wearing his emotions very much on his sleeve, and with a three-octave range that rumbles and soars by turns, Onabule is a much underrated talent that easily rivals the likes of US jazz-soulsters like Will Downing, for both impassioned songs and delivery.