Since the release of Based On A True Story two years ago, FFD have taken their special brand of reggae, dub, jazz and soul around the world to an ever growing legion of fans outside of their New Zealand homeland.

They’d just arrived in the country from a gig in Spain (something to do with the Admirals Cup) so this was the first time we’ve got to see the new expanded line-up. On the front line were Joe Lindsay (Trombone), Toby Laing (Trumpet), Warryn Maxwell (Sax), Dallas Tamaira aka Joe Dukie (lead vocals) and new boys on backing vocals, Rio Hunuki (ex-Trinity Roots) and Adi Dick. On the back line, Tehimana Kerr (Guitar) and Iain Gordon (keyboards) and band-leader and heartbeat of the band, Chris Faiumu (aka DJ Fitchie aka Mu).

Most of the first hour of the show was dedicated to new material that’s being fine tuned before the next album is recorded but there’s a whole lot of monsters coming our way. With differing styles from slow blues, house-ska, Fred Wesley to ambient dub they extend and ‘remix’ themselves. If you can imagine them returning to the feel of Live At The Matterhorn but with six years of ring craft under their belts you’ll get the idea.

Joe Dukie has an air of relax authority, as the horn section takes up much of the visual element of the show. The horn section have themselves just been featured on Outlines ‘Waiting In Line’ 12” on Sonar Kollektiv (that finds the label in a bit of a purple patch, more of which to follow including another reggae band from New Zealand, The Black Seeds).

After yet another brilliant horn section intro, when the crowd recognised the beats of ‘Cay’s Crays’ the place blew up; we even got a rockin’ guitar solo by Tehimana on a Gibson (should really have been a starburst finish for that bit you’d have thought). The live version of FDD puts the studio album to shame. Rio and Adi strangely seemed happier with the older material and ‘Midnight Mauraders’ sounded better than ever.

The highlight from a visual aspect was Joe vs. Dallas’ break dance battle followed by a Trombone vs. skat head to head on the encore ‘Wandering Eye’. As with all good battles, it ended with a hand-shake and then the band left the stage (some attempting the Madness dance) until, eventually, the mighty Mu brought the evening to a close.

It’s a shame they are doing so few dates (albeit two shows at Glastonbury) but try and see them as soon as you can or get the Fantastic Voyages DVD that’s released today. It features live recordings of the 2006 World Cup Tour and videos which I hope to review soon. You’ll recall last summers’ tournament was held in Germany where these guys tender to spend the summer months and hence, the Best Seven/Sonar Kollektiv connections.

The One Week To Live piece compared FFD to spiritual music greats John Coltrane and Stevie Wonder. Come on, we know they’re good, but taking it a bit far? Well, it is until you see them live. I loved them before this gig, but now they’re my new favourite band of all time!

A quick word on the Opera House. It is a spectacular refurbishment bringing a modern fit-out to the glamour of an 50s dance hall. It was packed last night and there was a great atmosphere, admittedly created by the vast majority of Kiwis in the house who were there to party. Some interesting looking future events have been booked (including Sly Stone!) so there’s a fair chance I’ll be going back. If London’s Astoria (as threatened with redevelopment) ever got a re-fit, they would do well to take a lesson from the Opera House.

FANTASTIC VOYAGES — SUMMER 2007 DATES
21 JUNE OPERA HOUSE, Boscombe, BOURNEMOUTH www.operahouse.co.uk
22 JUNE RESCUE ROOMS, NOTTINGHAM www.rescuerooms.com
23 JUNE GLASTONBURY, DANCE VILLAGE, ROOTS TENT
24 JUNE GLASTONBURY, JAZZ WORLD STAGE
www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk (SOLD OUT)
27 JUNE ASTORIA, LONDON (SOLD OUT) “sold out in 2 weeks”
28 JUNE ASTORIA, LONDON £19.50, www.ticketweb.co.uk “2nd show just announced due to overwhelming demand”
30 JUNE ZENTIH PARIS
01 JULY THE FRITZ CLUB BERLIN

Links:
www.fatFreddysdrop.com
www.myspace.com/fatFreddysdropnz
One Week To Live www.oneweektolive.com 18th — 24th June 2007 Issue 80
The Finn Brothers Bournemouth Pavillion “we were taken back to the days of 80s arthouse group Split Enz…The rocking track ‘I See Red’ received huge cheers from the army of Kiwis in the audience”
www.gibson.com
Save the Astoria www.petitiononline.com/savethea “Bulldozers move in in 2008. We’re not giving up hope yet, and neither should you!”