Alexia Coley - Hot to touch

Alex Coley

Pearce Ranger - Bass

The charismatic London singer Alexia Coley gave us a delicious slice of her latest album at 229 The Venue last week (29/10/2014) but this was a feast for the eyes as much as the ears. Her debut, Keep The Faith, was released last month on Jalapeno Records and is set to springboard Coley beyond her current capital wide popularity.

Sam Montero - Keys

Underground in Great Portland Street the red pools of light ringed the stage while all eyes rested on the dynamic force that took centre stage. It was a role reversal on Robert Palmer's 'Addicted to Love' as Alexia Coley was anything but the window dressing. The male tottie behind sported their black tie and white shirts in Palmeresque chic. There was more role reversing  with early tune 'Jekyll and Hyde', making an impression, as did Sam Montero on keys.

Milton Mermikide - Guitar

She was punchy, soulful. She was rock n roll, but always there was control. With more than a hint of spell in Alexia Coley's big brown eyes she gave us a musical wink with the tune 'I Like a Drink'. She was strong and unpretentious, an attribute that will endear her to modern audiences tired of over-manufactured tat, particularly as we approach Christmas

James Miller - Trumpet

Toward the end of her short set there was a little more meat on the instrumental bone with the brass giving us something to chew on. Her current single ''Driving me Wild' was the highlight of the night, with the saxophone of Jon Gillies, trumpet from James Miller and drummer Michael Cairns adding that extra punch.

Michael Cairns - drums

The short set worked against Alexia Coley, and the crowd gathered before her wanted more.

I write this without barbed undertones. We wanted to hear more from the excellent musicians that played in the shadows. They were shackled by time constraints, that also made it hard to feel close to Coley. Her power on this night was epitomised by her glowing red demeanour that screamed 'Too hot to touch'. We pined and coveted in equal measure.

AL.

Jon Gillies - Sax