Fantastic Negrito

London Nell’s Jazz & Blues

Fantastic by name…

Fantastic Negrito (real name Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz) is a fascinating individual – seriously, look up his insane back story. But he’s even more captivating in the flesh. His genre-mashing approach to modern blues throws together soul, Prince-like funk, gospel and blustery rock, making nods to Zeppelin, Charley Patton and Jack White. Tonight, though, it’s Negrito’s larger-than-life swagger that causes the sonic melange to bubble over completely.

Accompanied by his dapper band, each of whom bring their own distinctive personality to the table, the experience is grittier, trippier, funkier and harder than his recordings. Songs never really finish, elongating into jams. As a result, the set feels limber and liquid, with Negrito’s voice moving from a smoky, char-grilled growl to a smooth falsetto on heavily ad-libbed versions of Hump Thru The Winter and

A Cold November Street. Between verses and choruses, he dances and talks about love, life and pain, with a delivery that’s California cool-meets-preacher at a pulpit on fire.

The vibe feels spiritual. Most touching is Negrito’s tribute to his friend the late Chris Cornell, in which he recalls the moment he was asked to open for Temple Of The Dog at their 2016 reunion shows. Cornell knew a great talent when he saw it, back then recognising Negrito as one of his own. Right now, the rest of us have the pleasure of playing catch-up.