There are many unexplained mysteries in music: the disappearance of the Manic Street Preacher's guitarist Richey Edwards, Kurt Cobain's suicide, Peter Andre getting a record deal. But surely the biggest mystery of recent times is how London-based party machine Imperial Leisure have escaped the attentions of the industry's biggest labels, after spending the last three years delighting crowds and destroying line-up opposition across the UK.
Imperial Leisure's ten-strong fellowship fuse rap, rock, ska, hip-hop, soul and funk into a glorious musical spectacle which is refreshingly, deliciously different. Their diverse influences - which range from Snoop Dogg to Stevie Wonder via Jimmy Cliff, The Specials, DJ Cashmoney, Everlast and Rage Against the Machine - have coalesced into something truly unique, and, perhaps surprisingly, quintessentially British.
Whilst Rob O’Neale (trumpet) and Mark Rudland (trombone) provide the brass and Stu Maxwell the keyboard melodies, the driving funk heartbeat of the band comes from guitarists Dan Dobson and AJ White, as well as drummer Scott Vining. DJ Billy Chauhan weaves everything together with perfectly understated cool; there surely has to be place in everyone's heart for a man who samples Morecambe and Wise (Paddling Pool).
MCs Denis Smith and Ben Webb snap rhymes back and forth with agility and charm, like a British version of the Beastie Boys. And whilst MC/singer Jel Mudunkotuwe might dress like a history professor going on a fishing holiday, his soulful melodies are a perfect counterpoint to the boys' brash, joyful and just plain funny lyrics.
If a band is judged by its live performances, then Imperial Leisure stand toe-to-toe with the best around. From the first soulful trumpet solo to the last, sweat-drenched encore, Imperial Leisure attack their set with such infectious joy and panache that it’s impossible not to be hooked.
They’re also fortunate to possess a rare gem, in the shape of polyester sportswear-clad, afro-sporting, force-of-nature Denis Smith. A stage has yet to be constructed to contain him. He stage-dives, he strips, he bounces off the walls with such enthusiastic lunacy that he collides with the ceiling. Quite simply, the man is a superstar.
If you thought UK rap had to be as clumsy as The Streets, if you thought the British ska revival ended when the Ordinary Boys sold out, if no-one else can help, then go and see Imperial Leisure, because they are the A-Team. People of the UK, your champions have arrived.
