Concert Review: BLACKstreet with Montell Jordan, CDB and Kulcha Live in Perth
23rd of January 2024 at Metro City, Perth Western Australia
Review by Sheldon Ang
Photography by Sheldon Ang Photography
Backstage Pass
DO you still get nervous before coming on? I asked as they were climbing the stairs leading onto the stage.
Yes, we still get nervous, but it’s the nervous energy – BLACKstreet
Oh Yes, I still do. But it is about that energy – Montell Jordan.
Definitely man, it is also about the things that can go wrong…like the sound system. But if we don’t get nervous, then we are not serious about our job – CDB
As Richard of Kulcha took his spot at the corner of the stage, I whispered, “It’s a great honour to meet you. Been a big fan of Kulcha since uni in ’94.”
“Thank you so much, the honour is mine, What’s your name?” So I told him. He shook my hands and gave me a hug – 90’s gangsta style, and off he went to the middle of the stage to commence their set.
Live on Stage
Hysteria pours. Those hugging the crowd barrier beg for a flower or two, yearning to be serenaded by the quartet. The four closed in, edging closer, as screams echo to the spirit of jack swing beat – a hectic combination of R&B with rap and dance music. The singers lean forward and offer a bouquet of roses to the smitten ladies. The vocals form the catalyst, in perfect harmony to the mood that oozes swag. The honeyed melody melt the walls; the men in black are the minesweepers of hearts, semi hidden in sunnies under the spotlight, but beaming with hysterical enlightenment as they wind the clock to 1996.
BLACKstreet propelled to the stratospheric layer of R&B hall of fame during the twilight of the 20th century. In their legendary days of Hollywood and the Ed Sullivan theatre, their founding members were collaborating with the likes of Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Bobby Brown, Eve and of course Dr Dre which led to No Diggity – peaking at number one on the US Billboard Charts for four weeks. With co founder Chaucey Black Hannibal still at the helm of BLACKstreet, their start time at 10:40 on a Tuesday night was well worth the wait.
The band sparked a ten-song set with Don’t Leave Me, followed by Fix and Baby Be Mine. The four had the on-stage chemistry that most had expected, while performing hits such Can’t Get You Out of My Mind and of course No Diggity. There were gospel-like moments, and times when they oozed the mojo of amorous twenty something charmer through a bucket of swag and classic R&B. The fusion was explosive with their propagation of old school harmony and the recorded sample of Bill Withers acoustic guitar.
Their stage presence was addictive, with energy propagated through Metro City in Perth was as if they were performing at the Grammy Awards after taking out the Best R&B Performance by a Group with Vocals. And that’s relevant to No Diggity – a track that was collaborated with Dr Dre almost thirty years ago. The performance was as breezy as the summer wind on a Jamaican seaside with scattered pina colada…as it was suave, hot and sticky in the hottest dance club such as Metro City Perth.
The penultimate act Montell Jordan was the dabber of the night. Standing tall at over six five, he was draped in a suit, capped with a gentleman hat and sunglasses as he smothered his chicness through the art of hip hop soul. Since This is How We Do It – which peaked at number 1 on the US Billboard 100, this photographer/writer had assumed he was a party bubble – personality wise, thanks to the anthemic sing along party rhythm of his seminal piece. He may have returned to Earth since then and dedicated his life to the faith of Jesus Christ, but the straight faced, iced cool singer still lingers the hip hop de la soul through his vocals, as his standout stage presence took stride calmly. The vocal hooks and melodies intertwining dexterously with the deep bass and beats, propelling the party anthem, and also dedicating to R&B with a medley of hits like 50 Cent’s In Da Club.
“Hands in the air, side to side” – he swayed. The commanding mysterious appeal of a preacher’s son was the trigger for movement on the dance floor. The crowd jerked like puppets in pantomime. Montell Jordan is still a class act.
The men of CDB defied logic among the middle age demographic; they danced with the zapping synchronicity of the Solid Gold dancers of ’83 while presenting a masterclass in vocal harmony. All that was missing was Marilynn McCoo introducing the music and magic of Gary Pinto, Andrew de Silva and Danny Williams showcasing their hot steppers from the early 90’s. Their shirts swirled as their feet swept the floor in G-force revolutions. The screams from fans were deafening, which seemed to be a function to their physical charm in motion.
“Man, how the hell did you guys do that – dance amd sing like you do…I think we’re the same age, and I’d be gone by the first song,” I asked.
“Haha, no you won’t man, I’m pretty sure you can do it, you just build your stamina as you go along…I’ll be 49 this year,” said Pinto.
Before they graced the stage, the men stretched their bodies, including air boxing as part of their backstage ritual.
CBD were the epitome of 90s party anthem – four boys of south Asian background blazing the stage with Good Times, followed by Let It Whip and Don’t Stop. It was a slippery seven-track setlist that ended with Hook Me Up and Let’s Groove accompanied by three outfit changes reflecting the golden era of the 90’s.
The first act of the night Kulcha sparked the dance floor fire with the club banger of the 90’s – Shaka Jam. The intro was as ferocious as a bunch of hot blooded young clubbers looking for a good time. This photographer couldn’t resist but to sing along while snapping away. Richard Matila and Joe Fidow were as explosive as they were swishingly smooth, moving side to side with the dexterity of old school rap. Eric and Jay weren’t able to tour, and were filled by the family bloodline in Joe’s daughter and sensational vocalist Lyric while cousin and super sub Ques filling the staccato-laden rap of Kulcha. Dancer Alana graced the stage through the seven tracks of fiery hits such as Don’t Be Shy and Bring it On plus two new tracks – more of that in an upcoming interview.
Their setlist ended as they showcased the duality of the Kulcha brand with the 90’s ballad of broken first love, Fly Girl. They sang in perfect harmony with the undulation of the purest emotional sincerity, as if they were still reeling from the heartbreak three decades ago.
“How long has it been since you guys were on stage?” I asked Joe after the show.
“This is the first time we are on stage in twenty five years. In fact this year is our 30th anniversay”
These guys may have changed physically – as we all do – but their stage choreography and vocal harmony lie in perfection like it was in 1994.
So…tonight is a celebration of a 90’s chapter in Jack wing, hip hop soul, groovy pop and rap. Call it what you want. It was also a celebration of music by the so called minority of Australia. With the islander and Asian representation forming the stellar lineup, the men cast the true fabric of talented Australians leading to January 26.
Thank you for the nostalgia ride.
Tickets to the remainder shows in Brisbane, Sydney (both sold out at the time of writing) and Melbourne can be found on Delta Bravo Touring
The writer would like to thank Delta Bravo Touring and John Howarth for the Press Accreditation.
About the Writer/Photographer: Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) have been accredited to photograph and review over 70 of the hottest acts in Perth including Coldplay, KISS, Red Hot Chili Peppers and R&B Fridayz Live with reviews shared by the likes of UB40, Delta Goodrem and Toni Childs on social media. He has interviewed rockers Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) and over forty legends.
