In a Student Bar, on a Monday night the patrons are eagerly watching a below par Middlesborough team desperately trying to eek their way back into the game against a Pearce propelled Man City. Suddenly, the bland commentary is interrupted the prominent jazz thrusting bass lines of Pete Kenny bear out of ‘Mind If I Cut In’ and local quintet, Red Mojo have taken over. Lee Leonard’s vocals stroll along top of the patting percussion and wiry guitars, for a soul/jazz/indie introduction to Crunch Records’ greatest asset. If the opener slowly turned heads away from the soccer, then ‘Kaleidoscope Land’ with its Beck elements demonstrates tightness and adventure that Middlesborough would sell their red shirts for. This song is bound to form the crux of their forthcoming debut album and makes full use of the homely acoustics.
The epic soundscapes concealed within ‘Suddenly Unexpected Man’, sets a Mogwai style atmosphere to build up to a crushing crescendo, with a nod and a wink towards The Super Furry Animals; ‘The Man Don’t Give A Fuck’. Appreciation of da blues gives ‘Debris’ its kick, causing some sullen looks of contemplation to appear on those gathered. The ranging set culminates in the band’s gritty answer to ‘I Am The Resurrection’ in the form of ‘What Am I To You?’, with this marathon climax featuring every sound the Mojo’s have produced and Lenn’s vocals reach a punk pitch at points. Atmospheric rushes, free-spirited jamming and rhythm gushing interludes, ensure that Red Mojo leave the stage having left a lingering impression.
