Ebru at YoYo's.

Ebru at YoYo's.

11 March, 2011
by: A.mooro

Alya Mooro reviews next to blow - Ebru.

Walk down the stairs and through the double doors into the Notting Hill Arts Club and you find yourself in a world separated from reality. Aided by the outfits and hair styles you will only ever find in this corner of the universe, psychedelic images projected onto low ceilinged walls transport you into an alternate realm. All that matters here? The music. And the bass, which hums along your backbone, shaking both the floor and your inhibitions.

 And tonight Ebru and her magical voice pick up on the atmosphere and take it to new levels. Manny Norte, one of the most trusted names in the industry, is fully involved in Ebru’s career, and he steps onto the stage to introduce her: “I like to play good music,” he says, “and this lady definitely caught my eye.” And with back-up like Manny Norte and producer Anthony Marshall, this lady’s in good hands to do big things.

Dressed in a tuxedo, Ebru wows and wows the crowd again with covers of songs like The Supremes' ‘Set Me Free’ as well as her own songs ‘Echo’ and soon to be released first single, ‘Prisoner.’ Her deep and personal lyrics often tell of difficult moments in her life, and catching up with her after the show I wonder if there's anything she deems too personal to reveal. “Being honest is very uncomfortable,” she responds, “but it will help other people.” But, of course there are areas she says she wouldn’t delve too far into: “People don’t need to know everything.”

 Ebru belts out these lyrics with a voice that's reminiscent of an era in which class was flowing through the veins of every man and woman. It's a voice that sucks you into her world. She gesticulates frantically throughout the show, at one point even banging her fist to her forehead in a moment of passion. Facial expressions and the tone of her voice come together to ensure that even if you’ve never experienced what she’s singing about, you'll feel like you have. With powerful and inspiring lyrics and what must be iron lungs judging by the lengths of the notes she bellows out, Ebru is, honestly, in a league of her own.

 Her band (and the audience) feed off her energy, getting excited and closing their eyes in an obvious love for the music. The energy is undeniably positive and even the cynical drunkards standing next to me who had started off the night with obnoxious comments end up nodding at each other excitedly; seemingly very impressed. Ebru has more in store for the crowd though, playing the remix to new song ‘Prisoner’ for the first time once the live set is over. Apparently it's going to be released “very, very soon”, and personally I can't wait.

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A.mooro