As the world remains in isolation, thankfully Soul Music has pressed on. Some projects you should be spinning in any quarantine playlists you have on the go below. Plus our On The Wave playlist of the best new R&B songs out is updated with all the newness.
Tom Misch & Yussef Days – What Kinda Music
Whenever two heavyweights join forces to create an album, it ups the excitement level. What Kinda Music simply does not disappoint.
Tom Misch is a stupendously talented musician in his own right who has previously collaborated with a range of artists from Loyle Carner, Michael Kiwanuka, Alfa Mist and De La Soul to name a few. Yussef Dayes, in contrast, has attained well deserved notoriety as an eclectic, progressive jazz drummer. So when they confirmed this joint album was happening, we knew we’d be in for a musical masterclass.
As expected, the record has a very solid Jazz undercurrent. However, this is far from where the journey sonically ends, with hints of vintage hip-hop and soulful R&B and electronica infused throughout. The merging yet varied sounds is a key standout on the project and keeps things intriguing. The album also includes an array of live instrumentation that adds to the pumped feel of the tracks and also makes it feel a little unpolished and rough around the edges. The album title ‘What Kinda Music’ feels very fitting.
The project is open to interpretation but definitely has something for musical purists across the spectrum to enjoy. It only further cements the great things currently happening in the UK Jazz music scene.
Kiana Ledé – KIKI
In July 2018, Kiana dropped her debut Selfless EP and it was clear she had potential to be a brilliant addition to the R&B game. It got well deserved attention at the time and led to anticipation for a full length album. The wait was thankfully over this month as her debut album KIKI arrived.
KIKI is Kiana at her independent and unapologetic best. With layered lyrics that have fitted in with isolation uncannily. The 17-track-long album also features contributions from R&B new school vanguards Ari Lennox, Lucky Daye, Col3trane and Arin Ray. The album touches on an array of real life situations ranging from love, personal growth and inner thoughts. It’s reminiscent of the ballsy, toxic-hinting style of Sza’s CTRL. As expected on any full length project, things are very well polished sonically, yet Kiana stays true to what we love her for which is honest and relatable lyrics with effortless vocals.
KIKI, as a whole, is a really solid album and a very satisfying listen. It’s a cohesive collection of tracks tied together by Kiana’s beautiful voice. A strong debut album that has the ability to stand on its own in a very well-stacked genre.
Pip Millet – Lost In June
Manchester based Neo-Soul songstress Pip Millet, dropped her eagerly anticipated EP, Lost In June this month.
Pip has been on a steady rise as an artist, receiving well earned media coverage from both sides of the pond over the past 18 months. From i-D, The Fader, Grazia, Pigeons and Planes and Wonderland to name but a few. She featured on the global YouTube platform COLORS, with nearly 3 million views to date, on her performance of her 2018 mesmerizing release Make Me Cry’.
Lost In June consists of 8 tracks, which take us on a journey of reflection and honest emotions with Pip’s enriched soulful tones engrained throughout. The EP features three pre-released singles Deeper Dark, Ava and June. Lost In June is exactly what Pip’s fans have been eagerly waiting for.
The project help reaffirm Pip Millett’s place in modern Soul music and why she should be an artist to keep tabs on. From the reflective opening track ‘Deeper Dark’ to a more funk soul inspired track Like It Like That, Lost In June has more than enough soulful variance to keep the EP in heavy rotation for some while. Pip Millett is a fantastic addition to the world of Soul / R&B and Lost In June only further cements this.
Emmavie & Alfa Mist – Epoch
The world of Jazz and Neo-Soul joined forces this month as Alfa Mist & Emmavie provided us with a newly remastered version of their joint album Epoch.
The duo released the project in 2014 and at the time was a landmark moment for both musicians. As the jazz instrumentalist Alfa Mist explains, “it was the first complete project I ever put up on the internet“. Emmavie reflects, it “allowed me to access a more vulnerable and poetic side of myself.”
Six years later, both have evolved brilliantly as artists in their own rights. Numerous production credits, collaborations and solo projects between them. That said, this 2020 remastered version, released through the label Sekito Records, illustrates their brilliance really well. Epoch plays effortlessly from beginning to end with Emmavie vocally complimenting the layered soulful backdrop provided by Alfa Mist throughout.
Guest appearances on the project consist of co-production by Dornik on Fly Away and Rocco Palladino on Energy, as well as a soulful remake of Laura Mvula’s “Sing To The Moon”. Nevertheless, Alfa and Emmavie shine throughout.
