Players: Charlie Bereal, lead vocals, guitar; Jairus “J.Mo” Mozee, guitar, backing vocals; DJ Ginyard, bass; Chris Dave, drums
Having collaborated as a producer-songwriter with JAY-Z and Beyoncé, and others, and now signed to Death Row Records as a solo artist, Charlie Bereal is best known for contributions on “More Than a Woman” (Aaliyah), “One Minute Man” (Missy Elliott), and “Love Is Like Whoa” (Mya). Joining Jarius Mozee on guitar, bassist David Ginyard, and drummer Chris Dave (D’Angelo, Justin Bieber, The Robert Glasper Experiment, Adele) for back-to-back shows at the Blue Note in Los Angeles, the quartet played an energetic set.
Originally from the Pasadena/Altadena area, Bereal shared selections from his 2025 debut, Walk With The Father, as well as covers of Curtis Mayfield’s “The Makings of You” and William DeVaughn’s “Be Thankful for What You’ve Got.” Presenting an interesting blend of soulful vocals and high-level guitar chops, the evening kicked off with “Come Go With Me,” which delivered great rhythm guitar sound and harmonized backing vocals from J.Mo Mozee as Bereal released his trademark falsetto, all wrapped in a solid groove.
Dedicated to the survivors of the Pasadena/Altadena community (many of whom lost their homes in the early 2025 fires), “Hope” transitioned to a deep, slower bass vibe, with Mozee bringing incredible support and intriguing ghosted guitar notes on the group’s cover of “The Makings of You,” while “Energy” introduced a fun moment of call-and-response crowd interaction, and a more upbeat feel.
While the show had some highlights—including strong crowd involvement, deep grooves, and a fabulous rock guitar solo—the evening occasionally felt somewhat disjointed and, while the talent was clear, there were moments when the communication on stage felt disconnected. A contrast in dynamics was also absent, particularly from the drum kit, which could have added additional shape and movement to the performance. Show closer, “Walk the Streets of Love,” felt more cohesive, with great vocals, a cooler, edgier feel, and tight cutoffs, bringing the show together to end the set on a strong note.
