Rain filled streets of London did not deter a full blown audience to arrive for Laid Blak's show. Reeled in by the assurance that tired feet would pick up and amp an evening full of live dedication to the genres of reggae, ska, hip hop and all the soul funk, the room filled up quick, with celebratory bottles of champagne and wine in obvious sight that the night was indeed about to happen. A set by DJ Bunty gave blanket coverage to a dance floor alreay brimming with swaying hips, bobbing heads and writhing bodies, all hungry for a session in borrowed times reminiscent of dancing on beaches, all night clubs and hanging about sound systems. His penultumate track mixed The Fugees 'Ready or Not' with classic dubstep jungle beats, enough to throw powder on the floor, and get the characters to break out hard.

Laid Blak launched on stage with all fever of a tribe about to go into battle. Lead singer, Flex, stuck his swagger to the mic, fully dressed in combat gear, Timbalands and a Polaroid smile of a witch doctor ready to give his diagnosis of street life, the banter of flirtations and the vibes of everyday living. Daddy Rich, on drums, built each climax of song with Joe Peng, on lead vocals, directing the bridges and chorus each time. TJ The Doctor, worked the keys with a deliciousness reserved only for cheeky encounters, with Lupo, on bass and Bar, with his guitar, reigning in the beats, signalling more jump dancing from the audience, now standing on seats to raise their moves to reach the ceiling. Flex, in all his dynamic flow continued with limbo moves and hot stepping grinds, picking up the stamina of the room with 'Serious' and 'Red' (their forthcoming single release)

If this be the land of rain and not shine, Laid Blak rest no game in rushing a crowd to form the festivities. Their out-of-body energy ricochets off microphones and the sheer scale of them as a group, adds all the elements of basking in the glories of serving up an old fashioned recipe of times so good

Kat Popiel