In The Spotlight

After Funk – “The Mess We’ve Become”

This Toronto-based funk and soul quartet has been dubbed ‘the grooviest band from north of the border’, since they formed back in 2011. They first met when they all attended the University Of Western Ontario. Their self-titled debut EP was released in 2014. Since then, they’ve taken their electrifying live show on the road and completed their premier coast-to-coast tour of America.

This velvety taster of their upcoming third album “Santa Barbara”, which is due to drop in February 2019, is a buttery smooth, vintage-soaked soul ballad. With an intricate instrumentation of mellow rhythm, flavorful retro guitar plucks and rich organ tones, it’s the perfect foundation for Yannick Allwood’s incredible, impassioned vocals, making this intense soul gem anything but a mess.

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In The Spotlight

Hannah Grace – “With You”

Hailing from Bridgend in South Wales, this millennial songstress is gifted with a timeless, decade-spanning vocal dexterity. Steeped in melancholy, as well as soaring with panache, her voice bridges jazz, gospel, blues and folk. She supported Hozier on his tour and releases her music through Gabrielle Aplin’s label Never Fade Records. Her debut EP “Meant To Be Kind” was released in 2014.

Her latest single wraps a smooth blend of pop, jazz and a touch of gospel around her awe-inspiring, soulful voice to create something truly exquisite. The melodious mix of stirring, organic piano, a vitalizing beat and a hint of horns give it a delightful, retro flavor, while the stunning choral harmonies and her dazzling, vintage-dipped vocals make it a beautiful, jaw-dropping musical delicacy full of charm.

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In The Spotlight

Durand Jones & The Indications – “Morning In America”

This vibrant quintet met as students at Indiana University in Bloomington back in 2012 and drips of late 60s/early 70s soul. Influenced by the likes of Jackie Wilson, Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions, they mash gospel, R&B and pop together with their strings-infused, vintage soul sound. They released their self-titled debut album in 2016, which was recorded for $452.11 and a case of beer.

The first tasty morsel of their upcoming sophomore album “American Love Call”, which is to be released on March 1st, shines a light on life in modern-day America, through their old-soul sound. The laid-back groove of the rhythmic drums, mellowed strings and a touch of brass envelope Durand’s passionate, soul-infused vocals, giving it a powerful, retro-styled vitality and a glimmer of hope.

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In The Spotlight

Miss Audrey – “1985”

This Texas-born singer and songwriter grew up in Mexico and now calls Nashville home. Inspired by 50s eclectic singer and songwriter Dion DiMucci, who incorporated doo-wop, rock, R&B and blues elements into his music, she finds her musical passion in various genres and decades. She developed a catchy, soul-touched 80s pop sound and released her debut EP “Lost In Love” in 2017.

The title of her new single promises to be a celebration of the 1980s and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s a neon waterfall of invigorating retro synths, a very infectious beat and frisky guitar strums. Reminiscent of the upbeat cinematic songs of the decade, the melody is a right earworm and with her cheerful vocals dancing over the jaunty tune, she managed to catch the essence of the 80s in a single song.

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In The Spotlight

Alexis Evans – “I Made A Deal With Myself”

Apart from great wines, Bordeaux has also produced this exciting new Anglo-French singer, songwriter and musician. He grew up surrounded by Afro-American music and his father taught him to play the guitar. He won the Cognac Blues Passions prize aged 17 for his project “Jumping To The Westside”. In 2016 he released his debut alubm “Girl Bait” and is known as “enfant prodige of soul”.

His delectable new single is a refreshing wave of vintage soul. Taken from his upcoming album “I’ve Come A Long Way”, to be released on March 8th, it takes the passion and the power of 60s soul, adds a touch of Rhythm ‘n’ Blues and blends it with a bouncy beat and blazing brass. His rousing retro-styled voice vitalizes your very core and reveals why he is heralded as the next big thing in soul.

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In The Spotlight

Adia Victoria – “Different Kind Of Love”

Born in South Carolina, this American singer, songwriter and poet started exploring wide-ranging music from Kurt Cobain to Miles Davis while she was in high school. Infected by the musical bug, she moved to New York in search of her own sound. The gift of a guitar led to her expermenting with blues music. Now based in Nashville, she debuted with the single “Stuck In The South” in 2016.

The latest taster of her upcoming second album “Silences”, which is due to be released on February 22nd, is a fiery and enigmatic slice straight out of the mid-60s. The punchy rhythmic beat, sleek vintage electro-guitars and the sexy sax make you feel transported to the swinging sixties, while her bewitching, sensuous vocals add a hot and steamy side to this  dark, lustful gothic-blues groove.

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