Martin Luther & L-Marie, The Arches, Glasgow, March 11

This is the real deal folks - Soul Music for the rebel in you.

Article by Omar Kudos | 17 Mar 2006
Martin Luther, sometime collaborator with legendary Philly hip-hop crew The Roots, takes to the stage at The Arches this March. Aside from The Roots, Luther has worked with Eric Benet, Jill Scott, even George Clinton. His strong gospel influences are clearly evident on songs like Rise and Prodigal Son, from 2004's 'Rebel Soul Music', which is also the title of his record label. "My music is just soul music," says Luther, "But I attach 'rebel' to it because my music is revolutionary. I want you to evolve from your day-to-day thinking... Therefore my music has some sort of rebellious attitude about it." His music transcends the recycled urban cliches of over-rated contemporaries like Kanye West - his is a voice of true grit and depth, his productions recalling classic soul, funk and R&B rather than modern hip-hop and pop.

Martin Luther will be supported by rising young Scottish diva L-Marie. A stalwart of Glasgow's live music scene, she builds on the success of her 1Xtra-playlisted Mixtape the Liza Sessions by releasing a new EP in March (reviewed this issue). Writing all her own material, collaborating with artists both at home and across the pond, L-Marie is about to blow up majorly in the UK, with a voice that recalls the best of Mary J Blige. Both artists on offer here deliver a timeless mix of soulful melodies and smooth, slick instrumentation that raises them above a genre dominated by mediocre pretenders. This is the real deal folks - Soul Music for the rebel in you.

Martin Luther & L-Marie, The Arches, March 11, £6, doors 8.30pm. http://www.rebelsoulmusic.com, www.l-marie.com, www.urbanscot.com, www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra