Rebirth of Soul

While a new year has begun for many, I find my own inner timing more in tune with the Chinese calendar. The December holiday season allows me to rest, reflect and connect with my family, while January is for purging and organizing. By the time February turns the corner my clarity and focus have manifested into the 2010 plan. Yet sadly the reflection continues, while the new year has barely begun we already are mourning, as we did in 2009 with the passing of so many amazing creators. On January 1st, we lost the earthy chanteuse Lhasa de Sela and less than ten days later the multi-talented stalwart of the Canadian music scene, David “Soul Fingaz” Williams also left us far too soon.

I saw Lhasa de Sela perform in a dark, candle lit bar in Quebec City when she was supporting her debut, La Llorna. Lovers sat at small tables set for two, half filled glasses of red wine were everywhere while the spotlight followed the beautiful and petite enchantress. Her voice completely transcended the room. For the next hour I had my eyes glued to the stage and by the end I felt like I had taken a few international flights as she treated us with songs in English, French and Spanish. The band didn’t miss a beat and with her passionate storytelling rhythm and evocative voice, the audience responded with a standing ovation. We met her after the show where she was quite busy talking to her excited new fans, definitely one of my most memorable music moments.

Producer/Writer/Musician David “Soul Fingaz” Williams was a gifted and constant piece of the landscape and identity of Canadian music history. His collaborators will not only miss him but so will those he inspired and mentored from afar. David Williams had been part of such great music but there would still be more greatness to come. His loss immediately felt across the country as the outpouring of love from many other artists who really knew him like Divine Brown and Chin Injeti, as well as Jully Black who said,

“You touched so many peoples lives with that gift of your not just of playing keys, but you made us all laugh until we pissed our pants! Just know that your legacy will live on forever I just pray that all of us who worked with you can one day work together and bridge the gap in the community. In the words of Donny Hathaway "he was young, gifted and black."

Chin Injeti, a father, son and brother who happens to be a world-class producer/songwriter/musician as well, saw David Williams as his mentor. Last Friday I was one of a lucky few who witnessed Chin’s new band, The New Royales perform for the first time in Vancouver. The rebirth of rock and soul came together as The New Royales took the stage on January 8, the day after David Williams passed away. The band kicked through a catchy, soulful and sometimes heavy little set. The vocal chops of lead singers Liz Rodrigues, Eric Alcock as well as monster bassist Chin ignited every song. Filling up the sonic royal boom was drummer James Alsanders, keyboardist Danny Keyes and the amazing DJ Khalil. The variety of grooves gave all music fans something to get down to even the throngs of people skating at Robson Square had to stop and check out the fresh sounds. It is only a matter of time before The New Royales is one of your favourite new bands.

Music is eternal forever stuck in our hearts, our skin and the ether. Transmuting with other music, other ideas and again giving birth to something new and old, again and again. Just like life. The lives of Lhasa de Sela and David Williams will live on in the music they shared with us, and the piece of their souls that we were lucky to have met. Their music and the music they inspire daily will give us comfort through these times. Peace be with you.