Nitin's Night

London Undersound comes to the BBC Electric Proms

24 October 2008 - 6 Music's very own Nemone introduced tonight's main attraction, an introduction that would have made even the proudest man blush.

"He has just released studio album number 8, scored over 40 films, written for the London Symphony Orchestra - Nitin Sawhney!"

Cue the sold out crowd at London's Roundhouse going wild.

Nitin himself, ever modest, hardly speaks to the audience, but nods his appreciation as they roar in response to the opening strains of his first number, Sunset, from his 2002 album Prophesy. The mellow, funky guitar hook and strings provided by the awesome London Undersound Orchestra flow over the crowd and bounce off the roof of The Roundhouse - this is the kind of gig this venue was made for.

Nitin sits just to the left of the stage playing guitar and later, piano - he has obviously recovered from the trapped nerve in his shoulder he was suffering from during the run-through earlier: 'It's the stress', he told me, 'It's been building up all week'.

Well it's paid off. With the fantastic visuals changing to suit the mood of each track, from leaves and branches, to yellow rain droplets to images of the London Underground for guest vocalist Natty, this show is a gentle aural and visual treat.

Of the people I spoke to after the gig, many had come to see young up-and-coming singer songwriter Natty. He has written Days of Fire for Nitin's new album London Undersound. The album is inspired by a changed London - post 7/7.

Natty appears smart and together on the huge stage, his long dreads hanging neatly down his back - not bundled up in a beanie as usual. The lyrics to Days of Fire seem to encapsulate the overall theme of Nitin's album: "I have seen the city change in oh so many ways, since the days of fire," he sings over a familiar shuffling, summery beat which has become quintessentially Natty.

Nitin Sawhney is a master collaborator and tonight the audience is treated to the best of those who have worked with him over the years. Tina Grace is there throughout the show, providing stunning vocals on Letting Go, Immigrant, October Daze and Noches En Vela Pt 2 especially, had the crowd hopping. Tina working with Nitin dates back to his Mercury Prize nominated album Beyond Skin, from 1999, and their closeness shows on stage.

World music diva Natasha Atlas makes an appearance to lend her distinctive vocal stylings to tracks including Moonrise and Henricica Latina, much to Nitin's surprise, as he introduces her: "A surprise guest now who we thought wouldn't make it as she had tonsillitis," but she sounded in as full a voice as ever.

Other vocalists included fellow British Asian and rising star Reena Bhardwaj for Ek Jaan and Conference, and special mention must be made of Ashwin Srinivasan, the flautist and singer on stage for most of the night is truly awesome.

This was no crowd-surfing extravaganza of The Streets show the previous night, in true Nitin style he gently rocked The Roundhouse with his funky, laid back Latin-infused beats - a perfect night.

Set list:

Sunset
Immigration
Letting Go
October Daze
Days of Fire
Distant Dreams
Moonrise
Henricica Latina
Homelands
Noches En Vela Pt 2

Ek Jaan
Breathing Light
Conference
Nadia
Charu Keshi Rain
River Pulse
Deadman


ENCORE


Prophesy
Heavenly Sword


Ruth Barnes