Hercules and Love Affair
Hercules and Love Affair
Koko, London
- The Guardian, Tuesday 9 September 2008
- Article history
It's a long way from the decadent days of Studio 54, but just as Hercules and Love Affair's seamless blend of warehouse-birthed dance and classic disco is getting bodies twitching, Andrew Butler brings the set to a shuddering halt.
- Hercules and Love Affair
- Koko,
- London
- Warehouse Project, Manchester (0161-835 3500) on November 29. Then touring.
The New York DJ and intuitive band-leader is no party pooper - just a perfectionist, and he demands his seven-strong band begin again, adding: "We're gonna really turn it out this time."
The outfit have been on the road for four months, and Butler's long-cherished vision of song-orientated yet euphoric dance is now as sleek and glossy as transsexual singer Nomi Ruiz's long dark hair. Personifying late 1970s disco, Ruiz is a charismatic diva in silver sequins. Her rich vocals glide over Butler's love letter to Chicago house, You Belong, and she gamely fills in for an absent Antony Hegarty on Blind, the sheer pop joy of the song overcoming her lack of finesse.
Beside Ruiz, Kim Ann Foxman is a diminutive and edgy presence, representing the cool, electro side of Butler's mix. Her soft, nasal vocals contrast with her tough image, Athene - which she dedicates "to the girls" - sounds like Yazoo flirting with Everybody-era Madonna.
But Butler's eclecticism is almost his undoing. While he is busy wiggling along to the evocative, Arthur Baker-referencing electronica, the trumpet dashes off into chaotic jazz, and a cover of Blue Oyster Cult's Don't Fear the Reaper wears out its welcome. But Saturday Night Fever-style order is restored with an encore of Hercules' Theme; as Ruiz encourages the crowd to chant "happy", it takes a hard heart not to join in.
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