Music / heavy rock
Review: Hegemono Quartet, The Bell
Hegemono established their brand of original psychedelic instrumental funk as the classic guitar/bass/drums trio – and jolly good they were, too. But was there anything that could make that retro-70s sound even more convincing? It seems that would be the adroit use of Hammond organ and psych-synthesiser. Enter keyboard ace, Jim Blomfield – possibly best known for his jazz and Latin playing but forever nurturing a prog heart – and, to judge by this set at The Bell, it was a case of job done.
Hegemono (pic: Tony Benjamin)
Playing to a nicely buzzing mixed crowd of Old Bell Regulars and lively young students the Hegemono Quartet blasted off on all four cylinders with an unfeasible level of energy. Emma Holbrook’s drumming was a thunderous engine locked into Zak Raynard’s hyperactively disciplined bass, the pair delivering solid grooves throughout ranging from old school ‘heavy rock’ to Latin-funk and even Glam, all executed with precision timing. Each anonymous number (no tune names were offered) was well structured for dancing with a nicely-judged balance between change and repetition and plenty of instrumental flamboyance to add atmosphere.
Hegemono (pic: Tony Benjamin)
There’s always a risk of pastiche in aiming at vintage sounds, and indeed there were moments that suggested library music – albeit of the heavier kind. But this was all executed with complete conviction, celebrating the references whether to Santana, Black Sabbath, early Nile Rodgers or (daringly) the Glitter Band. The second set opened with a portmanteau tune launched by Jim conjuring a Lonnie Liston Smith organ groove that switched into something Latin. Chris Powell topped that with coruscating Blue Oyster Cult guitar, then Jim threw in a dazzling keyboard solo that managed to pitch 5s and 3s against the beat before the whole thing devolved into a dirty funk baseline with full-throated Hammond and grinding bass.
is needed now More than ever
Hegemono (pic: Tony Benjamin)
This was a fine display by four musicians who know and love the music they are re-creating. It was big fun for them and big fun for the audience, too, whether the head nodding oldsters or the dancing young throng in front of the stage. Crucially the musical expertise on show was exceptional, giving the music its character and conviction. The band’s logo – He Ge Mo No – references four elements of the periodic table and there was no doubt that in recruiting Jim’s keyboards they had finally added the one missing element that made for some perfect and explosive chemistry.
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