Kula Shaker - Live In Liverpool
[Stanley Theatre]

Surviving a harsh break up, the loss of organist Jay Darlington and Crispian Mills' aspirations with the Jeevas, Kula Shaker have proudly risen from the ashes of the nineties. Though they may be slightly older and one man down, the band's ardent performance proves that original passions still apply.

Crispian Mills, sauntering onstage in a black velvet suit still possesses the qualities of a natural front man with his ease of movement and ability to take the helm onstage. The replacing of Jay Darlington on organ is not noticed as much musically as aesthetically, as Darlington's quintessential bohemian look is substituted for the suited Beatles-esque Henry Broadbent.

Opening with "Sound Of Drums" from their second album, the band are cautious to wean past fans onto new material whilst keeping them enticed with older hits. However, new tracks "Big Bad Wolf" and "Revenge Of The King" go down well and show Kula Shaker remaining faithful to their transcendental roots.

Politics are still on the agenda with new song "Dick-tators of The Free World" containing some typical anti-Blair sentiment but generating laughter and likely popularity. However, "Die For Love" is one of the weaker tracks of the evening and fails to live up to Kula Shaker's lyrical capabilities.

As incense burns onstage, mysticism and religion are dominant as ever but culminate strongly during the organ riffs of "Tattva" and crowd-pleasing encore "Govinda". Mills' fluid fingerpicking talents radiate during "Last Farewell" and the touchingly direct "Shower You Love".

Although prominent for their sixties Harrison-inspired transcendentalism, Kula Shaker's gritty rock credentials are second to none as the reverberating drum beat of "Hey Dude" kicks in and provokes the first crowd surfers of the evening. A slice of seventies rock is served up with Deep Purple cover "Hush" with its choppy opening and bursting chorus. Older tracks "303" and the raucous "108 Battles" prove formidable as ever despite years of hibernation.

Live, Kula Shaker's new material is as pleasing as the back catalogue which granted them legendary status in the nineties. Although its staying power remains to be seen, the energy and determination to succeed are certainly still there for the invigorated Kula Shaker.