PPP @ The Voodoo Rooms, 15 Sep

A trilogy of contrasting acts make a Monday night excursion worthwhile

Article by Finbarr Bermingham | 19 Sep 2008

There might be no household names on show tonight, but it's credit to the Voodoo Rooms that they’re willing to take a punt and offer an alternative to drizzly nights in front of Corrie. Alas, their gamble isn’t rewarded with the numbers they might have liked, but those who venture out are treated to a decent night’s entertainment.

Jae P (**) uses his opening slot to helpfully inform us of a name change, he’s now to be referred to as Kobi Onyame. His swagger is admirable, and the obvious point of reference for the Glasgow based M.C's blend of beats and braggadocio is Sway. Alas, with but a DJ for company, his sound is tinny and pales in comparison to the two acts that follow.

Dunfermline's Underling (****) have been making waves lately, thanks to a series of high profile support slots with the likes of EL-P and Atmosphere. Tonight, theirs is an altogether more substantial set than Jae P’s. Energetic and emphatic, the sum of the parts (a bass heavy jazz flavoured live band, high octane scratching and venomous verbal onslaught) amount to a blistering and relentless half hour performance.

PPP (Platinum Pied Pipers) (***) add a dose of surrealism to proceedings. Is this really a pissy September week night? Kitted out in their trademark white uniforms, their assault is double pronged: the soulful Karma Stewart proving the perfect foil for effervescent frontman Wajeed. Theirs is a cocktail of soul, funk and unashamed meretricious kitsch that is far more entertaining in the flesh than on record. 60-odd awkward looking white folk dancing their socks off on a rainy Monday night in Edinburgh is probably as high an ego boost as you could possibly offer a touring band – although judging by Wajeed’s inescapable machismo, I'm not quite sure they need it.

http://www.myspace.com/platinumpiedpipers