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We settled in a central spot as the Bugz live show was beginning. Despite plenty of onstage energy and some of the guys kitted out in Official Bugz in the Attic Adidas track/boiler suits (grey with orange trim) I felt that the show started slowly with the hall not at capacity until later in the night. Not sure what the somewhat reserved Montreux crowd made of this West London vibe but the boiler suits were hilarious. Bugz played live tracks from their new album ‘Back in the Doghouse’. ‘Don’t Stop the Music’ had a beat that got the crowd (and me) going.

Gilles appeared onstage again, strictly in French this time ‘…un moment grand important, ‘Death Jazz”. Soil and Pimp Sessions came on to a packed MD Hall

The live rendition of ‘Booty La La’ was excellent, a track I adored initially (love that bassline!), then after it got massive airplay I lost interest, getting irritated by the whiny vocal, this live version worked terrifically though, beginning with Kaidi flexing an extended play on the opening riff then the beats and bass sounding Heavy. Another big track from the album ‘Sounds Like’ was terrific, complete with an awesome cowbell solo from Motet (O la vache!). As Daz, Kaidi and Motet charged around chasing each other on stage, the atmosphere along with the attendance rose. The Bugz put on an enjoyable show for sure and it was a quality showcase of the new album, plus it is a treat to see a band really enjoying what they do, and having the ability to regularly swap instruments and roles.

Gilles Peterson walks on looking swish in a light grey suit. Switching between French and English and introduces Koop. On stride Magnus & Oscar to their Apple Macs, along with 4 wonderful band members, on Vibes (Mattias Ståhl), on Congas, sax, flute & trombone (Karl Frid), double bass (Martin Hoper) & drums & bongos (Ola Bothzén). All the gents kitted out in black trousers, white shirts, very classical. Except for Oscar & Magnus in flesh revealing ‘womens’ black vest tops. As they began immersing the audience in their trademark glowing sound, on walked Yukimi. Oscar started up on the accordion, then Mattias’ mallets on the Vibes then Yukimi’s vocals ‘Hello my love…’ Such a delicious opening to the show, ‘Koop Island Blues’ the first track of their new album. More new tracks off the forthcoming Koop Islands were played along with versions of songs from the previous splendid album Waltz for Koop including a firing rendition of ‘Relaxin’ at Club F****n’ and finishing with ‘Summer Sun’. Montreux is a wonderful venue for Koop and the seven-piece band were a joy to experience.

Gilles started spinning, playing amongst others Don Blackman’s classic ‘Holding you, Loving You’, Simbad’s ‘Fever’ and Gil Scott-Heron’s ‘Home is where the Hatred is’ then Alex Attias returned to the decks playing some lovely tracks before the lights went off. Gilles appeared onstage again, strictly in French this time ‘…un moment grand important, ‘Death Jazz”. Soil and Pimp Sessions came on to a packed MD Hall. An excellent show followed, a tracklist & pictures available on their blog (link at end of article). Their immense solos, facial expressions, duelling horns, use of the stage space, and that energy. The rendition of ‘Wheel within a Wheel’ had an awesome keyboard solo from Josei and I remember thinking how this was the intensive charged-up jazz I’d come to Montreux to hear. A drum solo in the final track ends with the drummer walking over his kit. The crowd roars back when encouraged to chant ‘SOIL’, ‘SOIL’, ‘PIMP’,’PIMP’. What a show!

Alex Attias DJed some more, then Gilles appears again to introduce Mattieu Herbert. Herbert, dressed in a dressing gown walks on along with a large (not Big) band, including on vocals Neil Thomas, Valerie Etienne (stepping in for Dani Siciliano) and Dave Okumu (from Jade Fox), who also played guitar. Mattieu orchestrated things in front of all his equipment including a touchscreen that he rapidly stroked to loop & play with sounds that have just happened. This was used at one point when Herbert asked the audience to sing an ‘A’, he then messed about with the vocal response & turned it into the beginnings of a track. As with much of Herbert’s work he walked the tightrope of musical innovator & pretentious tit. The set was a showcase of the new tracks, with no room for past Herbert hits, such as ‘Café de Flore’, but it sounded good and was quality dance floor material. I especially liked ‘The Movers & the Shakers’ & ‘Moving Like a Train’. Neil Thomas who I had not heard before was a real treat, lovely voice, technically strong and he appeared to not be an egomaniac, unlike many people who chose to be onstage often are. Along with Valerie Etienne & the clavinet player (whose name escapes me), Neil was my highlight of the show. My première Montreux evening was a delight and at no point would I have rather be watching Sean Paul who was playing in the auditorium next door.

Live - Bugz in the Attic, Koop, Soil & Pimp Sessions, Mathieu Herbert & band
DJs - Alex Attias (mostly) & Gilles Peterson (occasionally)

Links:
http://www.montreuxjazz.com/home.aspx
http://www.montreuxsounds.com/mjf2006/
http://blog.excite.co.jp/soilpimp/m2006-07-01#3812748
www.herbert-scale.com