Concert Review: Muzic Theory Presents: Peter Hadar, TL Cross and Heavy @ Canal Room, 8-23-06	By Gerald Alston

Click On Speaker To Listen To Tracks From Peter Hadar, TL Cross and Heavy

	Peter Hadar - Need Love
	TL Cross - Love Iz a Hustle Pt. 2
	Heavy - Make You Mine

Whenever I see or hear the name Peter Hadar, I immediately take notice. It has been a pleasure to bear witness to the progression of his career since our first chance meeting 2 years ago. So as is par for the course, when I ran across an advertisement for an upcoming show at the Canal Room in Soho with Peter on the bill, my interest was piqued. As if his performance was not enough to guarantee my attendance, it would also be an opportunity for me to see one of the best up-and-coming musical collectives for the first time; Queens, New York-based artists Heavy. The bottom line was that I could not miss this show.

My early arrival was immediately rewarded as Hadar walked up right behind me and brought me in with him for the soundcheck. As I walked in, there was a full band on stage making final adjustments for their stage show. And it was at that moment where I was briefly introduced to the music of TL Cross. He and his band ran through a few quick numbers, working out the kinks in the sound system and then quickly cleared the stage (more on Mr. Cross to come).

Peter and his band then took the stage, set up their equipment and followed suit with their own soundcheck routine. As they were fine tuning the microphones, instruments and monitors with the soundman, I was struck by Peter’s buttery smooth voice as it sounded completely different in an empty venue than it does during performance in front of a packed house. The empty space allowed his voice to echo in all directions, so much so that the “butter” seemed to be dripping off the walls. It was a very interesting experience.

After soundcheck, DJ Makin Noise began to spin an eclectic set of ‘underground” and “mainstream” Hip-Hop and Soul tracks that had me amped at some of his chosen tracks and baffled at others. Despite my own discerning tastes, he was definitely attempting to please the crowd who were filing in quickly, and for the most part, succeeding.

As the venue filled up, I grabbed my requisite glass of Pinot and positioned myself in front of the stage on the left side. Not long after, the host of the event, Charles Anthony, took the stage and introduced Peter Hadar to a warm reception. With his own special brand of style (down to the matching accents inside the front pockets of his denim jeans, Peter took the stage and began rocking the crowd with selections from his debut album, “Memories of the Heart.” His song selection was very well planned as he delivered rousing performances of tracks like the sexually-charged “Thunder” as well as his “how-to-holla” guide for the fellas, “Need Love”, which struck a chord with many of the ladies judging by the rousing applause he received. The highlight of the entire night for me was hearing my favorite track from “Memories” entitled “Never Again” performed live. The tone of his voice perfectly captures the emotion contained in his lyrics, and to hear it live once again made my attendance worthwhile. He engaged the crowd with his personable demeanor and connected with them in a manner that only a true artist who is serious about his craft can. It was another quality performance from the Harlem representative, who seems to get better each time I see him. He gained many new fans that night and once again impressed one of his old ones.

Next up was the one unknown artist for me on the bill, who also hails from Queens, TL Cross. Well, as I found out immediately, he was no stranger to many of those in the crowd; especially the female contingent. The best way I can describe the aura around TL Cross is a "grassroots movement." It was obvious that his native Queens has embraced him and his music, and were out in full force to support him. As it turns out, they have very good taste. Representing a musical collective of writers, producers and artists known as Da Gutta Fam, TL Cross’s blend of Hip-Hop induced Soul is silky smooth with a gritty street edge that represents both him as an artist and his Hollis-Jamaica Queens heritage. His performance was very impressive as he bounced from his perch behind his Rhodes keyboard to the front of the stage. He was the consummate showman as he performed everything from a Stevie Wonder cover to his own interpolation of Busta Rhymes “New York Sh!t” to what seemed to be his signature song, “Love Iz A Hustle.” I may not have known about Mr. Cross prior, but I know now.

I am not sure if there was a better way to end off a great night live music than to see Heavy for the first time. At many shows, the headliner comes on so late, that the crowd is half-dead just from the length of time they have been waiting as well as the enthusiasm and energy expended during the prior acts' performances. I have the feeling that this is never a problem when Heavy hits the stage last, and I definitely feel for the acts following when they are not headlining. In fact, I think Black Thought of The Roots summed up my thoughts about Heavy’s live show when describing his own band on the song “100% Dundee” when he said:

“…Backstage whispering to management like ‘Change the order, it's no way that we can rock after them!’…”

Nicky Guiland is pure electricity on stage. It was actually difficult for me to shoot pictures of her at the start of their performance because she never stopped moving. Dancing, singing…performing. She and her musical partner Casey Benjamin are just that; performers. And that is what we as true music lovers want to see...a “show.” And what a show it was. From smoother tracks like “Do For You” and the uptempo “Make You Mine” to the hard-rock liveliness of “Fire”, Nicky and Casey commanded the stage from start to finish. It was truly a performance to be remembered.

The Canal Room show was a mix of comfortable familiarity and new discoveries. It was a joy to see and hear Peter Hadar perform songs that I have been singing for the past year and a half. It was great to discover the “movement” that is TL Cross. And it was wonderful to feel a “brand new” Heavy experience for the first time. I urge you to go and see any and all of these artists if they come to your vicinity. They are all a testament that the music scene in NYC is alive and well.