“It’s always great when you see a fairly young band come onto the stage with a lot of zeal and energy for what they’re playing. It’s even better when they don’t let it compromise the quality of their performance. Platonic Curry play cool trippy jazz with plenty of contemporary influences from many a genre. They clearly refuse to be bound by rules and tradition in their music which makes for a fresh rich sound.
What I find most captivating about Platonic Curry is their stage presence. There is a constant buzz between all six members as they exchange nervous smiles and appreciative glances throughout their performance. As you see them enjoying their fantastic music together you find yourself sucked in until you’re aware of nothing else.
With excellent composition, a forward thinking approach to jazz and an obvious love for their music, this is a band to watch again and again.”~Kunal Singhal of Chaos Theory
“From the sax and guitar inprov solos, through to the crazy drumming and immaculate basslines, it was clear from the get go that these guys meant business. I didn’t see one person not tapping their foot to the infectious groove.” ~Chris Ransome of Fear No Fish
Built on an upbringing on jazz and classical music and many years of composing and arranging for a number of big bands, Ben Donnelly delivers his own individual take on jazz-funk. With flavourings of pop, soul, drum’n'bass, hip-hop, irish traditional and swing, Platonic Curry promises to be interesting and different, but unconceited and soulful.
“The name ‘Platonic Curry’ came about a few years earlier from a conversation with singer Miss Baby Sol where she described someone or something as ‘Sexual Chocolate’. I always thought of myself less in-your-face and more savoury than sweet so Platonic Curry seemed an appropriate answer to describe myself.”
The phrase Platonic Curry describes Ben’s music equally well if one ignores the lack of Indian influences there. The music is intended to be modern, and interesting but accessible. It’s not boring, it’s worth making a bit of effort to get into, as it is new and different. But you don’t have to pretend to see any clothes on an emperor. There’s no pressure, no appearances to keep up, the point of the music is easy for all to understand. It’s platonic in that anyone can enjoy it in the company of anyone else. It’s curry because it’s definitely not bland or boring – it’s there to be enjoyed and some of it may well blow you away.
