TORONTO, ON- Kali Uchis brought her Latin charm to the bay area of Toronto Thursday night and wow … she was nothing short of spectacular. With her sexy demeanor and glowing looks, Uchis had the stunned crowd reeling from the very moment she emerged onto the stage out from behind the billowing clouds from the smoke machines.
Kali Uchis has been touring in support of her latest album, Isolation, which was released earlier this year on April 13th, 2018. It’s a solid debut album which really melds a variety of different musical styles, which is tied together with Ms. Uchis’ soulful coo.
Prior to the Columbian-American chanteuse taking the stage, the music for the evening was kicked off by Gabriel Garzón-Montano. A New York City based singer/songwriter who also happens to be a strong multi-instrumentalist
Garzón-Montano reminded me of a Latin version of Justin Timberlake. With undeniable charm and smooth vocals to boot, Garzón-Montano gave a strong performance that would serve as the perfect starter for the seductive sounds to come. A very soulful and worthy addition to Uchis’s entourage. I particularly enjoyed his opener, “Golden Wings”, which displayed Garzón-Montano’s talents as not only killer vocalist, but also an accomplished guitarist who can jam the funk with ease.
Following his performance, he sincerely thanked the crowd, proclaiming how much love he felt in his heart for their attention. It was great to see so many come out early and give Garzón-Montano the attention he deserves. Any lover of smooth, straight-forward funky pop better keep an eye on this guy because he is on track to light up the scene.
With her current tour being centered around her debut album, Isolation, I was more than eager to be introduced to the pop’s newest force: Kali Uchis. After the groundwork was laid perfectly by Gabriel, the atmosphere was buzzing for Uchis’s much anticipated entrance. Then, the lights dimmed down and her backing band opened with the instrumentals to “Dead to Me”.
As a gold light hit the giant screen hiding in the background of the stage, Uchis’s curvy silhouette became visible. Emerging from the smoke through a gap in the screen, Uchis’ entrance was angelic.
I could immediately tell why she has gained such a large following in such a short period of time. Her first couple of songs were more on the danceable side of the spectrum, spreading the packed concert hall with an infectious fever that could only be quelled by moving to the rhythm of the beat. When Uchis covered Donna Summer’s “One Love”…. good lord. Not many artists can take another musician’s song and spin it to make it even more tastier than the origianl … but then, not many artists are like Kali Uchis.
Not many artists can also instill a series of emotions in a listener like the way Uchis did, switching between funky and melancholy at a moment’s notice. A setlist that comprised of a whole stir fry of genres like R&B, Brazilian-Jazz, and funk, Uchis had me hooked from the minute she came strutting out. Her sensual movements and dazzling presence both intimidated and intrigued me.
Music critics have universally lauded Kali and her new LP as being a “new gravitational force” in pop. With a fierce attitude that reminded me of one of those strong, independent, desirable girls from any James Bond movie, Kali Uchis etched herself as an icon in my mind.
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