Live Review: Blue Lab Beats & J.Lamotta @ Badehaus (Berlin)

On a ripe spring evening in an old trainyard turned flourishing cultural epicenter of Berlin, the Badehaus Szimpla venue was occupied by hip hop & electronica-infused jazz, soul, and funk. The multi-cultural bill of musicians found a home for the evening thanks to Noize Fabrik where they illustrated modernized forms of classic genres.

Joining from the UK, live nu-jazz duo Blue Lab Beats returned to Berlin for their showcase of story-telling through live electronic music. Made up of NK-OK and Mr. DM, the young musicians carry the jazz torch forward by kindling influences from the underground British Jazz movement.

Supporting act J.Lamotta is a well-versed musician whose love for music started from a young age. A beatmaker, lyricist, poet, and multi-instrumentalist, the Israel-born singer brought her live band to the show. In a typical Berlin fashion, the four-piece band all come from different countries and expand on the self-produced songs of J.Lamotta herself.

Opening the show up was a two-piece beat element Marian Tone who delivered all unreleased material. With their tight, yet expansive set-up of keys, sample pads, and acoustic drums, they effectively introduced us to the evening's theme: jazz-influenced, beat-driven live electronic music.

Bringing more hip hop into the picture, the J.Lamotta live band injected soundwaves of soul, funk and jazz in an eclectic mix of live drumming, smooth bass guitar, and soulful e-keys. On the lyrical spectrum, J.Lamotta inspires with thought-provoking, poetic lyrics with songs about nature, like "Everybody Needs The Sunshine" to more real-world topics on racism and co-existence with "Deal With That". On the musical spectrum, J.Lamotta's beat-making career comes alive as a four-piece band paying tribute to J.Dilla with tracks like "Wanna Getta Know Ya" using funky intros and powerful live solos. In an impactful, yet carefully-balanced blend of hip hop, jazz, and poetry, the J.Lamotta live band enables listener to witness the divinity of live musical performance.

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From creating beats after school in a blue painted bedroom to performing their ensemble of nu-jazz, soul, and electronic hiphop in Berlin, NK-OK and Mr. DM brought their electronic-acoustic infusion to the forefront.  Armed with a drum machine, live keys, bass guitar, and electric guitar, Blue Lab Beats broke out into full chill mode filling in the cracks of the evening's ride for a full-bodied experience. From covering NAS's "N.Y. State of Mind" to ending with their hit single "Blue Skies", both musicians elevated the space with pure forms of live electronica.

Between all three acts, we witnessed accomplished musicianship of professional know-how in electronic production to classical training in jazz & soul. With a healthy basis of hip hop, each act drove us through unique exhibitions of musical eras mashing together.

Photos thanks to Berlin's co-working space, booking agency, and recording studio Noize Fabrik.