In The Spotlight

Shanuka – “Hurricane”

Haling from Scarborough and now based in Toronto, this Canadian singer and songwriter started her career in her teens by creating beats on GarageBand and posting them to SoundCloud. Inspired by Anderson .Paak, she’s created an unique, intimate R&B soundscape. She’s performed in various venues in Toronto, reached 100,000 streams on Spotify and released her debut EP “Infatuation” in 2018.

Offering a moment of pure relaxation in these troubled times, her new single blends smooth R&B with velvety jazz. First entering her musical world with a gentle rhythm and the chirping of birds, she soon adds the dulcet strums of acoustic guitars. And with her sugar-coated, soulful vocals putting a spell on your ears, this hypnotic groove, filled with allure and style, is out-of-this-world.

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In The Spotlight

Maria Sanchez – “Hey Love”

Hailing from Riverside under the Californian sun, this budding singer/songwriter embraces a mix of her favorite genres: oldies, funk and soul. Also known as Groovy MS, she began her musical journey releasing covers from artists like Musiq Soulchild, Kali Uchis and Brenton Wood. She also entered the “Now It’s Your Turn” competition of Big Crown Records. She debuted with “Dynamite” in 2021.

Wrapping a heartbreaking story of ending a relationship because of endless demands and needing to meet certain expectations in a silken shroud of smooth soul, her new single strokes your ears with delicious vintage tones. With a full-bodied melody of gentle percussion, sleek keys and polished horns setting the scene, it’s her soul-infused vocals that make this a luxuriant smooth groove.

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In The Spotlight

Cory Henry – “Fighting For Peace”

Born in New York as a bit of a musical miracle, this singer, songwriter and musician was playing piano and B3 organ aged 2. By the time he was 5 he could play anything on his Hammond organ. Since then he’s toured with legends like Bruce Springsteen, Boyz II Men and Michael McDonald. First releasing instrumental albums, he debuted with “Gotcha Now Doc” in 2012, adding vocals on “Art Of Love” in 2018.

Written in honor of this years Black History Month, his new single wraps his powerful message in a celestial, uplifting melody. Having his Hammond organ negotiate both vintage soul and divine gospel, the two blend together into a spiritual experience. With smooth guitars, gentle rhythm and a luscious choir stroking your ears, this blissful tune paves the road to peace with heavenly notes.

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In The Spotlight

Cerise Valdez – “Things He Likes”

From a young age this rising singer and songwriter knew that she wanted to sing. She started singing aged 6 and followed her sister into singing in a choir, but preferred writing her own songs. She moved to Los Angeles in 2019 and attended Musicians Institute, graduating with a degree in Vocal Performance. With a sound likened to Lennon Stella and BENEE, she debuted with “Disco Baby” in 2021.

By first creating a hazy, alluring soundscape, like a breath-taking sunrise, before bursting to life with an upbeat electronic sparkle, her new single ticks all the right boxes. Singing about the honeymoon phase of a relationship where you spend everything to impress, leaving you in love but broke, it’s the funky rhythm, shiny synths and vivid vocals, that make this a tune you can’t help but like.

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In The Spotlight

Benedict Cork – “Miracle”

Born as Benjamin Cork in Hertfordshire, this versatile singer, songwriter and musician grew up in a large art-loving family. He started to play piano aged 8 and landed his first job playing piano in a restaurant aged 15. He’s since supported Emily King and Tom Walker and shared a stage with Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie. He debuted together with Simon Jefferis on the single “Easy” in 2018.

Performing a musical balancing act by injecting just the right amount of an array of diverse genres, his new single is a present for your ears. First there are some modern electronic effects playing with the notes, before a smooth jazzy guitar and his soulful vocals lay the foundation. Soon the rhythm ascends and is joined by a gospel choir and a poppy melody unfolds, making it sound invigorating.

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In The Spotlight

Ludic – “Judge Me”

Hailing from Vancouver, this multi-talented Canadian trio got together to pursue groovy sounds from vintage and present soul, funk jazz and pop. Consisting of Ayla Tesler-Mabe, Rhett Cunningham and Max Cunningham, who are all multi-instrumentalists, they draw inspiration from icons like Stevie Wonder and Prince, as well as modern pioneers like Hiatus Kaiyote. They debuted with “My Love” in 2019.

Tackling the topic of feeling lonely in the middle of a relationship and being determined to mend it, their new single is a velvety-smooth amalgamation of genres. Taken from their upcoming debut EP, expected in April, the tune kicks off with a dreamy jazz guitar and Ayla’s enchanting vocals, before adding an upbeat funky rhythm and pop-inspired melody, making it a timeless and alluring groove.

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