Life's been getting busier for Lina recently. She even claims to have lost her man due to a tendency to leave her native Texas and head off on Craig David tours, although she's been winning some good reviews for her 'Stranger on Earth' album along the way.
The Houston Belle has swapped arenas of teenage girls drawn by Mr David for the more intimate surroundings of the Hanover Grand (last night) and the Jazz Cafe. And there's a change in vibe. Everything's a lot more relaxed and soulful tonight compared to the arena support set.
Lina's manner is infectious. Always smiling, bopping away in a tie-dyed top and pink headscarf, she gets a party atmosphere going. She press-gangs volunteers onto the stage to offer backing vocals on 'It's Alright' and shows them how to move their hips, though one guy clearly didn't need much help. One woman jumps from the crowd and does a quick duet, with Aretha-like vocals.
Funk bass popping between slow, R&B beats keeps the punters' feet moving, jazzy guitar and keyboards build smooth, poppy songs and Lina adds her soul-Queen vocals and homespun wisdom between tracks. From the tie-dye to the afros and dreads in her backing group, there's a retro-feel to Lina. While erstwhile divas like Madonna, Whitney and (ahem) Posh are getting into garage and dance for their sounds, Lina is delving into the same vein as Macy Gray and Lauryn Hill for inspiration. You can bet she has a load of Motown albums back home.
'Don't Say Nothing' follows a prosaic entrance. Lina's voice is sassy. Catty lyrics and a soulful delivery give the track it's life. She raps her way through the occasional verse and croons through the rest, from soft nothings to bluesy blasts.
There's a core jazzy sound to Lina's set, though the new single 'Playa No Mo' is more like modern R&B with a garage-like bassline and 'Step Up' is an irresistible poppy number with a catchy chorus. 'Enemy' and 'Waiting' meanwhile are both concerned with that pesky ex-boyfriend.
Lina's lead vocals flow melodiously over the surprisingly high vocals from her surprisingly large backing players. 'Crazy Love' and 'Hot Enough' get the crowd in full flow as, pacier, passionate tunes meet with solid beats and bass. Signing off with a wailing cover of Percy Mayfield's 'Please Send Me Someone To Love' (popularised by Sade) and a funky return to 'Playa', Lina leaves her new friends. A lot of whom are sure to return.
Images: Charlie Freed
