US soulful house trio Tortured Soul are proof that modern soulful house music can be freed from the DJ booth. Influenced by such classic artists as Prince, Heatwave and Kool & The Gang, the band deliver their third cool, groove-centred album, dedicated to the memory of keyboard player and founding member Ethan White, who passed away suddenly in March at the age of 39. Tastemaker Gilles Peterson has dubbed them “the future of house music”. Led by drummer/vocalist Christian Urich, delivering four-on-the-floor beats topped by a Maxwell-like falsetto, this band plays seamless club classics, always with poppy hooks. They will come to Prague Lucerna Music Bar at the day of the release of the new album, 11th of May.
“Hot For Your Love Tonight”, the band’s third album, opens with the ultra cool “I’ll Be There For You”. Other highlights include the deep house of “Don’t Lead Me On”and the handclap-catchy title cut, both of which are co-written by bass player Jordan Scannella.
“I Know What’s On Your Mind” was written and co-produced by Christian and Ethan with South Africa’s house music legend Black Coffee, and the Chic-like “Can’t Keep Rhythm from A Dancer”has received airplay all over the world, including from the UK’sJazz FM, BBC Radio 2 and Mi-Soul. The band have recently shot a video in Los Angeles for “Don’t Lead Me On”, which features a cameo by J’Something, vocalist with South African house trio Mi Casa. Tortured Soul never stop touring the world.
In Czech Republic they were for the first time at the Colours of Ostrava in 2011. They had such an impact on the audience, that Tortured Soul is returning every spring to the Lucerna Music Bar. This spring they are on European tour, where they stop also in London, Vienna and Hamburg to present for the first time their new album live.
On facebook you can find a fundraising-link to support the wife and the two kids after the sudden death of Ethan White: Gofundme.com
Tickets are available for 320 CZK (+fee) at www.musicbar.cz, GoOut.cz, Ticketpro, Ticketportal and Eventim. At the cash desk of the LMB without fee, at the door 370 CZK.
