Jah Wobble and the Invaders of the Heart - Jazz Cafe, London, 23/2/2020
by Adrian Janes
published: 9 / 9 / 2020

intro
Adrian Janes watches Jah Wobble and the Invaders of the Heart preview a new album and range widely and deeply over the bassist’s prolific career.
A packed Jazz Café was served a two-hour musical feast by Jah Wobble and the current incarnation of the Invaders of the Heart. (Besides Wobble on bass and occasional percussion, they are George King (Keyboards), Martin Chung (Guitar) and Marc Layton-Bennet (Drums), who shone both individually and collectively). Appropriately, the jazz strand in Wobble’s smorgasbord of influences was what came first, in a trio of pieces from his imminent album ‘Ocean Blue Waves’ which included the title track, ‘Safe Passage’ and ‘Take My Hand’. All were skilfully played by the quartet, making clear the understanding honed between them over several years, with Wobble the base of it all and their constant orchestrator. He was also a dryly witty master of ceremonies, as he delivered his East End-accented patter. Referring to his intermittent need to sit down during the performance, he philosophically explained: “I live in a country called Sciatica”. But he seemed too a father figure to his younger bandmates, at one point comparing a band to a family unit where “I know you’re not supposed to have favourites”, then beaming a proud paternal smile towards Chung after one of the latter’s dexterous solos. Despite Wobble having a massive back catalogue to choose from, there are some tracks which remain in his sets like signature dishes. Key among these were the still-uplifting grooves of the 90’s hits ‘Visions of You’ and ‘Becoming More like God’, and a scattering of songs from his Public Image days, the highlights being a reggaefied, dubbed up version of ‘Public Image’ itself and a mesmerising ‘Poptones’. Again, even though over the years he has built a career through embracing many styles and collaborations, he hasn’t forgotten his musical roots: covers of the reggae classic ‘Liquidator’ and the film themes ‘Get Carter’ and ‘Midnight Cowboy’ were played with an enduring affection and energy. Finishing with another compulsive groove in ‘So Many Years’, we had been given substantial tastes of jazz, reggae, rock, dub and more. If it might be speculated that the younger Wobble would have given short shrift to his bandmates’ more self-indulgent moments these were few enough, and more than compensated for by the variety and tightness of the set taken as a whole. It’s to be hoped that he and the Invaders of the Heart give us many more years. Set List: Ocean Blue Waves Safe Passage Take My Hand Socialist Seven Midnight Cowboy Liquidator Java The Chain Visions of You Becoming More Like God Public Image Every Man’s An Island How Much Reggae Segue Invaders Pop Tones New Mexico Dub Get Carter So Many Years
Also at Jazz Cafe, London
Band Links:-
https://jahwobble.com/https://www.facebook.com/Jah.Wobble.Music/
https://twitter.com/realjahwobble
Picture Gallery:-

photography |
Photoscapes (2022) |
![]() |
Andrew Twambley photographs Jah Wobble and The Invaders of the Heart at a show at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. |
reviews |
Ocean Blue Waves (2020) |
![]() |
British bassist Jah Wobble & The Invaders of the Heart explore multiple genres on their new album |
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Yardbirds - Interview with Jim McCarty
Johnny Cash - Video Vault
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
John Philip Shenale - Interview
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Man From Delmonte - Interview
Loft - Interview
Vapors - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBarrie Barlow - Interview
Pixies - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
Paul Clerehugh - Interview
Boomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Allan Clarke - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Bryan Ferry and Amelia Barrett - Loose TalkIvor Game - When Will You Fall Into My Loving Arms?
Gabriel Moreno - Nights in the Belly of Bohemia
Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham - Big Blue Sky
Brooke Combe - Dancing at the Edge of the World
Bryan Adams - Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2024
Shaw's Trailer Park - I Thought I Saw You
Ringo Starr - Look Up
FKA twigs - Eusexua
Leon Bridges - Leon
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart