Catching up with the Brand New Heavies

N’Dea Davenport talks about the iconic funk/soul band’s legacy before playing the Buckhead Theatre on Sat., July 2.

BRAND NEW HEAVIES: Simon Bartholomew (from left), N’Dea Davenport, and Andrew Love Levy.
Photo credit: Courtesy the Brand New Heavies

The Brand New Heavies originally formed in 1986, but the British-born outfit is best known for its 1990s heyday, when vocalist N’Dea Davenport joined the crew. Throughout that decade, the Heavies rose to fame as the torchbearers of ’70s-era funk and soul, and helped give birth to the musical movement known as acid jazz by rocking feel-good hits such as “Dream Come True,” “Stay This Way” and “Never Stop.” The group’s popularity, along with its roster, fluctuated over time, but the band has essentially never stopped (pun intended) working. This year, guitarist and vocalist Simon Bartholomew and bass player and keyboardist Andrew Love Levy have reunited with Davenport to rekindle those hit-making flames and bring some funky-ass sounds to audiences around the world. Before they hit the stage at the Buckhead Theatre on Sat., July 2, Davenport checked in to talk about the group’s past, and to shed some light on the Brand New Heavies’ working dynamic.

How does it feel being back on the road, touring together? What do you feel are the differences between audiences in 2016 and audiences in the 1990s?
It feels like very little has changed while onstage together. Administratively, there is a totally different dynamic. Technology has made it much more possible to conduct daily business functions, interact more directly with press and fans. The differences between our audiences in the ’90s and now are that the audiences have sort of grown up with us. Now they have husbands, wives, children, and some grandchildren that get to be included to enjoy what it is we do and have done.

What goes into picking a setlist from all the hits you have in your catalog?
The live show is pretty much as electric as it was before. ... We have an extensive catalog of music to choose from, so when setlists are chosen, it may vary depending on what the venue is like, what city or what country we are in … reflecting the mood or environment.



Has your musical mission changed since you first debuted with the group?
The dynamic has changed many times over the years. There is a slightly different lineup than the original members but the core foundation is still intact. However, this has allowed a very freeing lifting of a shadow that was necessary in order to continue. We are now working somewhat as two units that come together to formulate one end result. We collaborate on various separate projects, which keeps fresh perspectives.

OK, random question: When the Brand New Heavies album Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1 — which merged live instrumentation with rap — was released in 1992 it was truly a revelation for hip-hop. How do you feel an album like that would interface with today’s hip-hop stars?
I think it would continue to be a great collaboration. Live music and rhyme is eternal. Of course the patterns of the flow of hip-hop today are different, as trap is king right now. But the combinations of a live groove with trap could be the next wave. Keeping all things open and possible.

What are your thoughts regarding your musical legacy?
I’m just happy that when I realized what I wanted to do as a career, I’d hoped that I would have been a positive reflection of my efforts. Glad it all worked out. Still to be continued. 

The Brand New Heavies play The Buckhead Theatre on Sat., July 2. $37-$49 (VIP Package available for $86). 7:30 p.m. Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Rd. 404-843-2825 www.thebuckheadtheatre.com.