Paula Lindo – Our histories, stories, present, future.

The concert, Soul of a Woman, with Chantelle Esdelle, featuring Candace Alcantara and an all-female band, was a lush, lovely performance by a group of talented artistes. The sold-out crowd at the Kaiso Blues Cafe were in turns awed and enraptured by the quality of the music on offer.

The vocalists, Alcantara, Karla Gonzales, and Malene Joseph, were backed by Esdelle on keyboards, bassist Candace Marcus, drummer Alanna White, percussionist Sheena Richardson and musical director Natasha Joseph on tenor pan.

The show began with the Spirit of Music introductory instrumental. Alcantara’s smooth performance of Jill Scott’s He Loves Me was accompanied by a powerful performance by Joseph and soulful piano playing from Esdelle. Her next number, Eryka Badu’s Call Tyrone, had the audience clapping and singing along, along with more skilful instrumental work from Joseph and Esdelle. She told the audience the following song was about getting bad energy out of their houses, and went through the audience asking them what they wanted to get out of their lives before seguing into a rendition of Hookin’ Meh, drawing laughter from patrons before they joined in.

Diana Ross’ Do You Know Where You’re Going To put the evening back into a contemplative mood before Alcantara handed the vocals over to Gonzales. She said the song Black Gold speaks to us all and reminds us who we are at all times. Gonzales’ rendition energised the audience, and her powerful performance made it clear that she believed in what she was singing.

Alcantara said her next song, Deniece Williams’ Black Butterfly, was one which had been recommended to her years before, and the audience showed its appreciation by singing and clapping along. The first half ended with Anita Baker’s Giving You the Best That I’ve Got.

The second half of the concert was composed solely of local songs, beginning with Love Changes, written by Esdelle and arranged by Joseph. The haunting melody, with vocals by Esdelle and accompanied by Joseph, drew tears to the eyes of patrons. Alcantara’s original song, Sunshine, from her 2005 album Candace, was a perfect vehicle for her powerful vocals, while Malene Joseph had the audience rocking with her rendition of Destra Garcia’s Colours Again.

There was an unexpected surprise performance as Mavis John joined in on Alcantara’s rendering of John’s song, Use My Body, along with most of the audience, who continued to sing along when Alcantara sang Carol Jacobs’ Pressure. Alcantara then handed out bottles and spoons to members of the audience, along with a rhythm to beat out, before launching into Nailah Blackman’s Iron Love, with solos from White and Richardson. Nadie La Fond’s Make Love to You rounded out the show and had the audience clamouring for more.