[img]http://deviationmusic.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/bilal-1-397x400.jpg[/img]

After their vibe-heavy takeover at fabric last year, equipped with Madlib and J Rocc, Deviation returns to fabric for a special one-room event next month. On 14 July, Benji B will take his dedicated Deviation family from the sweaty, jam-packed atmosphere of their monthly sessions at Shoreditch’s Gramaphone straight to our Room One stage, for a night of live performances and PA’s, with each artist as unique and dazzling as the next.

There are few voices that are as instantly distinct and powerful as the cult-worshipped master of soul [b]Bilal Oliver[/b]. A voice and steez packed with as much flair as unpredictability, Bilal’s fine-tuned, off-the-wall intonations have soared and sauntered across beats of all different sizes and shapes. His impeccable ‘1st Born Second’ album, released on Interscope in 2001 (and recorded at the ripe age of 22), harks back to the ingenuity and stylistic grace of rare soul legends - comparisons to Curtis Mayfield and Prince ran rampant, and for good reason. A few years later in 2006, his hugely-anticipated-and-highly-pirated ‘Love For Sale’ lit up the internet to unparalleled degree but, as one of the biggest mysteries in neo-soul history, never quite lit up the charts. The masterpiece – which featured a wide, colourful range of Bilal’s own smooth jazz-inflected productions - was never released, despite the hype machine righteously making immense waves around it. Regardless, ‘Love For Sale’ still stands tall as a veritable classic, and any self-respecting music collector holds a prized copy close. Outside of his solo work, the vibrant member of the otherworldly Soulquarians collective has also made his way on to beatific records across the board – from Talib Kweli to Common to Musiq to Robert Glasper to Beyonce. Most recently, he’s been locked in the studio with all manner of exciting producers (including Sa-Ra and Flying Lotus), working feverishly on his forthcoming LP for Plug Research, due out in September.

And for all of the volatility that he encompasses as a recording artist, there’s nothing quite like the explosiveness of a Bilal performance. Wildly unhinged and fuelled by incomparable energy, Bilal’s freeform, magnetizing live shows truly defy description. Don’t miss his first time back in London town since 2004.

[b]Read a quick interview with Bilal over on the fabric Blog [url=http://www.fabriclondon.com/fabricfirst/blog/a-quick-chat-with-bilal/]here[/url][/b]

Ahead of Bilal's first official album in 9 years - due out later this year on the Plug Research label - he's unleashed a free download of his non-album track 'Free,' produced by Nottz.

[b]Download:[/b] [url=http://www.fabriclondon.com/blog/view/audio-bilal-free/]Bilal - Free[/url]

Info:

[b]*WEDNESDAY* 14 JULY
tickets: 08444 77 1000 or www.fabriclondon.com
9pm-2am. £12.50

Tickets available [url=http://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?175277]here[/url]

Full line up:

ROOM ONE:
Bilal (LIVE), Fatima (LIVE), Ronnie Herel (BBC Radio 1Xtra), Benji B[/b]