Hiatus Kaiyote @ Metro Theatre

Neo-soul group Hiatus Kaiyote are proudly collaborative, and on the final night of their tour they perform a set which is as inclusive as it is innovative. Backing vocalist SilentJay opens with a collection of mellow hip hop beats. Brooding horns over a simple bass/snare drum combo set the stage for him to invite Jace XL out for a duet. Together they sing R&B choruses over the beats Silent Jay has prepared, and their obvious rapport brings a warmth to the stage as the music warps from hip hop to deep house.

Kirkis drive the night into unexplored space with a layered soundscape of fragmented clicks, electronic whirs and heavy synths. Echoing the progressive jazz of Badbadnotgood, the band shifts into soul as Jace XL and another of the headliner’s backing singers appear to provide vocals. The two voices weave between each other, embedding the lyrics within the musical fusion of Kirkis rather than rising above them.

Remi appears next with the swagger of a lifetime hip hop aficionado. His effortless lyricism is like an extension of his breathing patterns as he gets the crowd moving over simple jazzy chords and live drums. As if to prove he doesn’t even need the minimal backing of the music to stay on point, the drums cut out and he continues to flow, dropping bars with precision and skill. Remi’s got game, and he twists about onstage with such style that it’s hard not to be swept up in it.

When the opening keys of ‘Mobius Streak’ are struck, Hiatus Kaiyote are here. Lead singer Nai Palm is resplendent in a glittering gold jacket with large, dangling earrings and her leather baseball cap turned backwards. Her genuine enthusiasm coupled with rich, throaty vocals is captivating. The band behind her delivers beautiful harmonies that culminate in euphoric cries by Palm as she sings.

The group is obviously at home improvising, and the set maintains the feel of a jazz band that’s having as much fun experimenting with the songs as reciting them. The unconventional chord progressions that emerge are what separate Hiatus Kaiyote from other neo-soul outfits, as the music rises and switches from soulful breakdowns to heavy electronic jams. Everything is brought together by Palm through the joy and honesty that she communicates, and the set ends to cheers as she removes herself from the spotlight to the masterful work of the band.