Martha High

Martha High

Bulleit Originals is a series of live music events which showcase the extraordinary talent of pioneering musicians alongside their contemporary peers. The events take the audience on a musical journey demonstrating how much of the music we listen to today is inspired by original pioneering musical genres.

The first Bulleit Originals event, on Friday 7th November, will track the influential journey of Soul and Funk.  From the classic Soul of the 60’s and the 70’s funk explosion, to the sample heavy Hip Hop years complemented by a heavy dose of the Funky Dred!

The evening will feature performances from groundbreaking UK band Soul 2 Soul (playing a Soundsystem set) alongside one of the pioneering legends of classic soul, Martha High. DJ support comes in the form of current Gilles Peterson favourite, Ben Westbeech. 

Soul music originated in The States in the 50’s and has since spawned many subgenres via a mutation of Rhythm and Blues, Gospel and Funk. Rhythmic grooves and emotional vocal performances characterise the Soul / Funk movements, and are also intrinsically linked to the development of 1970s Disco scene.

Names such as James Brown, Otis Redding, Ray Charles and Al Green feature heavily in the sample led world of House Music and Hip Hop to date, with funk’s influence clearly evident in new wave, and the post punk revolution.

In the pioneering spirit of Bulleit Bourbon, original vocalist from James Brown’s Revue, Martha High, will illustrate the links between modern popular music and the Soul movement. You are likely to recognise Martha’s unforgettable vocals and raw funk on much of James Brown’s material, including “Payback”, “Bodyheat” and “Doin It to Death”.

On top of a 30 year career with the Godfather of Soul, Martha can also lay claim to a share of the stage with Soul and Funk legends Lyn Collins, Little Richard, Maceo Parker, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, George Clinton, Mary J. Blige and Stevie Wonder to name a few.

To complete the line-up, Bulleit Originals will also host a performance from Ben Westbeech, a male DJ, singer and producer originating from Bristol and currently signed to Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood label. Trained as cellist and vocalist, with influences including Soul, Funk, Punk, Jazz and Hip Hop mean you’ll never forget a Ben Westbeech DJ set.

Whilst enjoying the night at The Arches, guests will have the chance to sample a glass of smoky-smooth Bulleit Bourbon served over ice, with cola or ginger ale.

Look out for further Bulleit Originals events at locations in Glasgow and Edinburgh during 2009. Full details on venues, dates and line-up TBC.