In The Spotlight

Laure Z – “Girls Don’t Wait”

Laure Zaehringer, better known by her stage-name Laure Z, has passionate French blood running through her veins. After discovering jazz as a teenager, she attended the American School Of Modern Music in Paris and formed her first jazz quartet. Later she also attended Berklee School Of Music in the USA. This education allowed her to forge a style fusing her French musical heritage with western jazz.

Her exhilarating new single has her distinct jazz sound, but she expanded her influences to include a gripping funky beat. Glorious blazing brass takes the track to new heights and her impressive jazzy voice is ear-tingling magnificent. It has a full-bodied orchestral feel and a titillating trumpet solo which leaves you wanting more. It’s a breathtakingly electrifying tour de force.

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In The Spotlight

Mark Turner – “Addicted”

Imagine being 7 years old and feeling so strongly about music that you enroll yourself in piano lessons without letting your parents know. That is exactly what this Australian singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist did. With a style that is deeply dipped into jazz, rhythm & blues and soul, his musicality is widely versatile. His debut EP “Made For Us” was released earlier this year.

Not only did he write his latest single, but he played every instrument and recorded it himself as well. As a departure from the sound of his debut EP, this is a rip-roaring slice of invigorating blues. With an infectious bass line, jangling guitar, lively beats and rousing, resounding vocals, it’s easy to get addicted to this thrilling chunk of blues heaven.

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In The Spotlight

Iris Gold – “All I Really Know”

This charismatic singer/songwriter grew up living a rather nomadic life. Born in the UK, she grew up in Denmark surrounded by a hippie-like lifestyle and was exposed to the 60s and 70s psychedelic sounds of Jefferson Airplane and The Grateful Dead. In her late teens she became enthralled with hip-hop, so she forged an unique sound of her own, incorporating all those musical influences.

This special “hippie-hop” blend comes to full fruition on her latest single. With a dash of soul, a touch of pop and a generous pinch of retro hip-hop, you get a ferociously driving rhythm causing the infectious sound-waves for her insanely powerful vocals to coast over. It’s an anthemic powerhouse which sounds defiant, punchy and extraordinarily intoxicating.

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In The Spotlight

Sulpacio Jones – “Better Way”

Born and raised in California, this artist, songwriter and producer has been impressing the music scene worldwide with her vibrant and unique funky sound, since the release of her self-titled debut EP back in 2013. Influenced by Chaka Khan, Prince and Rick James, she’s created an eclectic mix of R&B, soul and funk, woven through some old-school hip hop.

With lyrics about coping with modern life, she takes her usual fiery delivery down a notch as her new single has a delicious laid-back feel. It’s retro R&B infused with pure soul. It has an intoxicating slow beat, sleek synths and gloriously smooth horns in the second half of the song and with her passionate, enthralling vocals, it’s the best kind of melodic ear-candy.

From her upcoming EP “Funky Love”, to be released on 22 December 2017:

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In The Spotlight

Darren Criss – “The Day That The Dance Is Over”

Mostly known as an actor in TV series such as “Glee”, on Broadway in “Hedwig & The Angry Inch” and in movies such as “Girl Most Likely”, this 30-year old multi-talent is also an accomplished singer/songwriter, who has been releasing solo work on and off since 2010 when he independently released his debut EP “Human”. Now, after 7 years, he’s released his new EP “Homework”.

Although his work as a singer/actor took him to singing other genres, on his new EP he returns to his own soul/folk stylings. His velvety, soulful voice sparkles on this song, which is produced with real live instruments. It starts off with an acoustic piano, which is joined by some polished brass, silky violins and a gospel choir, creating an uplifting and breathtaking musical masterpiece.

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In The Spotlight

Diane Coffee – “Poor Man Dan”

Previously the drummer for Foxygen, Shaun Fleming adopted the moniker Diane Coffee for his solo endeavors. Influenced by 60s psychedelic pop, he created an unique style which took the 60s and blended it with a contemporary indie sound. Although it’s been quiet around this pop-rocker since his second album “Everybody’s A Good Dog” from 2015, he has returned with a 2-track EP called “Peel”.

Although the single has elements of his signature 60s-style psych-pop, he added catchy Motown-influenced brass creating a very infectious, happy feeling, even though the lyrical story tells about a sad and dark urban myth. It’s an accomplished amalgamation of 60s pop, soulful horns and an unexpected retro rock-guitar bridge which brings the 60s sound into the 21st century.

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