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With a single dessert and just two glasses of wine our bill was kept in check - but the effort of doing so was not much fun
Babbo
Film
This is a film with beautiful performances and a visual style that urges you towards reflection
Bright Star
Theatre
Although the first half of Kwei-Armah’s production is pacy, funny and intelligent, the energy level then drops off
Seize The Day
I loved this film from start to finish. Take the girlfriend, tell your mum - I'd see it again tomorrow and will buy the dvd.
I saw this last night and can't remember the last time I was so moved in the theatre.
I have been to many of London's so-called best Japanese restaurants and none have been as good as the food that I've had at Aqua Kyoto
London,
Welcome return: Airto Moreira and Flora Purim
It's been too long since Brazil's king and queen of jazz samba paid their annual state visit to Ronnie's. They're back at last with a band that still combines power and grace like some Copacabanan Rolls-Royce.
Flora sounded a little bronchial (thanks no doubt to our midsummer weather) but looked as slim as in her Return to Forever girlhood. She still does all the talking but Airto issues cymbal-splashes from his drumkit if her revelations become indiscreet.
Their daughter Diana, a fullblown diva, shared the front-line vocals with Flora and duetted with her husband, US percussionist and rapper Krishna Booker, on snappy versions of Living for the Rhythm and the Nina Simone classic, Feeling Good.
Greco Bulato, a young guitarist from kd laing's touring group, proved a valuable find. Steely-toned yet sophisticated, his solos were modern yet ideal for the group.
If it ain't broke, you don't fix it, and certain vital factors hadn't changed, including six-string bass-guitar maestro Gary Brown. His solo on Milton Nascimento's great song, Vera Cruz, was amazing while synthman Kit Walker supplied the heavenly harmonies and Airto fizzed away with a percussive clarity of thought that remains unique. This man would sound great playing a dustbin lid.
Until Saturday (020 7439 0747).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
