Review: Music of Colour: Celebrating the Icons of Soul
Friday 16/02/2024
Nexus Arts Venue

Simi Vuata is no stranger to the stage and screen having been a finalist on The Voice Season 4.
Away from the light for the last 9 years he had plenty of emotion to express in this hour-long show which he gave in spades.
Opening with the Sam Cooke penned, “A Change is Gonna Come,” Vuata’s vocal depth and ability was both present and accomplished. It had been a long time coming but Vuata was there for all to see and hear. He looked amazing in a gold inlaid tuxedo which transported the observer directly into the right era and genre of music.

Breaking into the boppy “Wilson Picket” Land of 1000 Dances, it was clear that this would be a night of American Soul classics. The near full house was already bursting from their seats in the second song and Vuata created a sing along of “Na, nana na na” that the audience could not help themselves but to join in.

The hits continued with Hold on I’m coming and “Bill Withers” Lean on Me. An emotion charged version of; “The Greatest Love of All”, followed along with tributes to James Brown, Etta James and Aretha Franklin.

Music of Colour concluded with a show stopping version of Purple Rain, Signed Sealed Delivered and a further encore of Hallelujah, backed only by Musical Director Joe James.

The band was brilliantly led by Adelaide Maestro MD Joe James on keyboards and grand piano, Toby Lang on drums and the amazing talent of Damien Steele-Scott on Bass. Paulo Gutilla on Tenor Saxophone, weaved around the melody complimenting the soaring vocal licks of Vuata. Rob Mills, Grayson Rotumah made up the rest of the band. The 3 part back up singers added wonderful texture to Vuata’s velvet tone.

The time passed too quickly as it always does when you are having a good time. Simi Vuata has been away for too long. With time he will find comfort by expressing himself, his pain, his joy, his failures and triumphs through his music to an audience that will grow and travel with him on his journey.

At the end, the audience were on their feet wanting more of this incredible young talent who gave his all and left everything on the stage.

Music of Colour has one more date on Saturday 24 February at Nexus Arts Theatre get along and check out the re-emerging and reinvented local talent that is Simi Vuata.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Reviewer: Stephen Foenander for ART - Adelaide Review Team #simivuata #Adlfringe2024