After the Robert Glasper Experiment sauntered on from stage left, the band formed a primal rhythm, escalating in pace until it became a frenzied wall of sound; some elements were appealing and others disjointing. Fusing contemporary jazz with hip hop and psychedelic funk, the quartet created a stadium arena presence within a modest auditorium.

The Robert Glasper Experiment was a full sensory experience. Mark Colenburg (percussion) unfurled a syncopated beat; a seed of an idea transforming in to something tangible. The bass crawled, finding its feet as Derrick Hodge and Casey Benjamin added melodic layers, until the full-bodied piece came of age as Robert Glasper adorned this creation with rhythmic ostinatos. The audience witnessed the evolution of sound and it was beautiful to behold. The collective invited guests on stage to perform crowd favourites. Rapper, MF Doom, served up East Coast flavours of, ‘Figaro’, and, ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’, whilst the delightful Vula Malinga, leant her honey-drenched vocals to perform the evocative number, ‘Cherish The Day’.

With tribute paid to late hip hop heavyweight J Dilla, and an unexpected cover of Nirvana's, ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’, The Robert Glasper Experiment not only showcased their versatility but their overall appreciation of good music.

– Joanne Eze