The future looks bright with the new crop of soul artists. The sensual and often autobiographical soul music, mixed with jazz and hip hop influences, keeps finding its way to the more general public. Representing Haarlem and Amsterdam, the hip hop/funk band Relax, awarded with both a Zilveren Harp and an Edison award for Best New Group this year, will provide a steaming wrap-up to the What's Going On program. These boys proved they had guts last year by making their debut with a live album. But, in frontman Llewy is Sel's view, it was an easy decision, seeing as Relax is at its best live. And this is hard to deny. Relax bursts with energy, grabbing you directly. With exciting rhythms and catchy songs in which numerous samples have been incorporated, these six bowl you over from the start with a cheerful cocktail of funk, hip hop and reggae. Earlier this year, the audience at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Cape Town was immediately captured by them.
