SOUL UNDERSTATED feat. Mavis 'SWAN' Poole

The announcement said to get there by 8:45pm, to get a good seat, but people were standing in the aisles by 8:30pm to catch a glimpse and hear the fierce soul stylings of Soul Understated featuring Mavis "SWAN" Poole. Backed by a eight-person S.W.A.T. team of funk, it would be easy for another singer to get lost amidst the back-up singers, guitars, percussion and brass, but not Ms. Poole, dressed in an orange, off-the-shoulder tee, red belt and a barely-there miniskirt, lookin' as fine as she wanted.

After stirring the pot w/ "Still Water," Soul Understated showed their playful side by takin' us back with their rendition of the Fat Albert theme song and it is not understating it to say its inclusion on the soundtrack may have inspired us to sit through the 2004 film adaptation. Normally, "Feel Good Music" and "Dance Flo'" would have had the crowd up on its feet, but the audience at BAM is generally more subdued and, this evening in particular, the room was so hot that people were breaking a sweat just bobbing their heads and tapping their toes.

Aside from the aforementioned schoolhouse rock, Ms. P. & the gang paid homage to Curtis Mayfield--with an original take on "People Get Ready," arranged by co-director Jeremy "BEAN" Clemons--and Michael Jackson--on a "Rock With You"-infused version of "One." All other tracks, including "Sistagirl," "Truce," "Hot & Bothered," "New Rock" & "Gonna Make It," came straight from the minds and souls of musical co-directors, Clemons and Poole.

Maybe it was the heat, or the vibe in the room or the way Ms. Poole turned what could have been a wail into the most soulful of music, but we couldn't help but to be reminded of Ledisi's early performances, in the basement of San Francisco's Cafe Du Nord. For their part, Soul Understated is a skillful ensemble, adeptly and seemingly effortlessly weaving together soul, jazz, funk and gospel, like so many threads in a tapestry, and Ms. Poole does not miss a beat, adding scat and rap to the mix like the final spices in an excellent gumbo.

If you can't find your way to one of Soul Understated featuring Mavis "SWAN" Poole's performances, you at least owe it to yourself to download her debut album and get in on the ground floor of something great. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/soul-tree-sultry/id332467645 - Divastation.com

"Mavis, you knocked me out with your soul, sound, voice, and direct honesty, plus great musicianship. The record is a total bomb. I love the CD. You're a wonderful singer, and the band is smoking. It’s quite moving. It swings, and has got all the stuff that I like! " - Andy Bey - Grammy Nominated Vocalist/Pianist

Mavis'SWAN' Poole 2007-Crowned "Little
Ella" trombonist, Curtis
Fuller - Curtis Fuller

Clemons especially impressed as a young drummer with a big future ahead of him. - By Adrian Jackson

Mavis "Swan" Poole , Bean And Crew...... You Were Phenomenal. The Whole Band Was Tight But You (SWAN)
Held Everyone In The Palm Of Your Hand. Y'all Keep Doin What You're Doin........

Myoshi Marilla
(former host of BET J List) - Myoshi Marilla

Soul Understated literally blew the doors open Saturday night with a variety of sounds from Soul, Funk & Jazz & then hit us with a taste of Gospel sound... the crowd poured out onto the street... the energy was positive... & much love was in the air... we thank you for being apart of our concert series......

peace

~bushbaby

~Let's make history together - Bushbaby

“...I wondered if he'd just landed on the shores, fresh from the Motherland, that's how versatile and multilingual he was. With chereke, bongos, clave and other instruments plus drum set, Clemons added palatable texture and flavor...Jeremy was speaking in tongues...the percussion engine.” Wanda Sabir, San Francisco Bay View on JEREMY “bean” CLEMONS - San Francisco Bay View