Theo Parrish @ The Art School, 16 July

For a house music virtuoso of Theo Parrish’s stature, this bold leap into the world of live band performance could just as easily end in failure as in success. With his almost peerless reputation comes the expectation of great things and, as he approaches the stage, the nagging thought persists that this foray into relatively uncharted territory could tarnish or galvanise his well-earned reputation. So, as he spends a minute or two surveying his domain – peering from beneath the rim of a crumpled bucket hat across the heads of the crowd below – it’s understandable if there’s a slight sense of trepidation among some of his assembled followers.

Thankfully, any lingering doubts are abated early on as Theo’s talented ensemble bursts emphatically into life, with early highlights including a mesmeric cover of Stevie Wonder’s Too High and a rendition of Parrish’s own Walking Through the Sky, with its meandering keys setting the pace for a leisurely stroll through one of his most meditative deep house tracks. What is instantly apparent is the calibre of musicianship on stage – no real surprise, given Theo is joined by the likes of songwriter and keyboardist Amp Fiddler (who has worked with the likes of George Clinton, Prince, Jamiroquai and Moodymann) and gifted guitarist Duminie DePorres, formerly of Public Enemy. Accompanying the band is a four-piece footwork dance crew, who prove early on that they’re not simply making up the numbers, adding an extra dimension which tips proceedings toward the jubilatory at times.      

When 2008 single Chemistry gets an airing later in the show, the vibe is nothing short of spiritual. Its repeated refrain, 'the chemistry was meant to be,' couldn’t be more apt as Parrish and his band gel effortlessly in front of a now enraptured crowd. On a couple of occasions the set does veer off into dense instrumentalism, so prolonged and without payoff that it appears those on stage are engaged in some form of musical tantric sex. At such points, there are more than a few signs of disinterest among the Art School crowd. Yet, it’s fair to say there are likely as many on the dancefloor who are as absorbed in the repetitive rhythmic funk as they would be in hearing similarly stripped back house music in a club setting.

As the night draws to a close, Parrish treats us to one of the most sublime tracks to be released on his celebrated Sound Signature label. Solitary Flight soars, backed by possibly the most robust percussion all evening, as Theo and co. manage to channel the raw emotion of the piano part from Vangelis’ Memories of Green, while also giving the track an uplifting edge which acts as a catharsis after a long build up. Recent hit Footwork is another late highlight and cements Parrish’s status as a producer still very much on top of his composition game, as well as establishing him as a live force to be reckoned with... like it was ever really in any doubt.