In The Spotlight

St. Paul Peterson – “You Got 2 Love”

This funk soul brother was discovered in 1983 by his purple highness, Prince,  who hired him as a keyboard player in The Time for the movie “Purple Rain” when he was just 17 years young. Apart from Prince, he’s worked with legends such as George Benson, Peter Frampton and Oleta Adams. He’s also part of the bands fDeluxe and The Mpls Funk All Stars, celebrating the famous Minneapolis sound.

With a 70s wah wah guitar tickling your funky bone, his new solo single starts as it means to go on – as an uplifting tribute to those vintage funkadelic vibes. Deeply doused in purple hues, the foot-tappin’ bouncy rhythm is catchy, the groovy synths are invigorating and the sprightly guitars are electrifying, elevating this spicy and steamy tune to an aromatic, funkalicious jam you just got 2 love.

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In The Spotlight

Tristan – “I Left My Jacket In The Van”

With ground-breaking arrangements giving their 70s-styled acid-jazz sound a contemporary twist, this Dutch quintet has found the perfect aural balance. Influenced by bands like Tower Of Power and Incognito, they use classic analog instrumentation, as well as up-to-date synths to add an energetic freshness to the warmth of the 70s vibes. They debuted with their album “Full Power” in 2014.

Taken from their upcoming fifth album “The Spice Of Five”, to be released on April 5th, their new single is an exhilarating fusion of acid jazz, soul and funk. Instantly kicking off with a lively, pulsating funky rhythm and vintage Hammond organ, it’s Evelyn Kallansee’s soul-dipped vocals singing the cheeky lyrics and the Manhattan Transfer-like harmonies which put the fun in funkalicious.

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In The Spotlight

Ivan Hartle – “You Got Me”

This Vancouver-based Canadian musician enjoyed an upbringing surrounded by music. Having played college baseball in Southern United States also contributed to his musical influences. With a vintage-coated blend of soul, blues and folk, he performed all over the city, as well as playing a showcase at Vancity Feature. He’s about to tour Vancouver Island in March and Western Canada in June.

His astonishing debut single is a passionate fusion of heart-wrenching blues and classic soul. With an organic-sounding instrumentation of mellow percussion and mellifluous acoustic guitar chords proving that less is definitely more, it’s his warm, impassioned vocals adding a melancholic southern blues to stirring soul, which give this marvelous, mesmerizing tune a fervent vintage vibe.

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In The Spotlight

OSTON – “Give Up”

Born in Park City, Utah as Austin Wolfe, this pop singer and songwriter creates music based on the realization that it’s way more fun to be young and immature. Now based in Chicago, she managed to retain that joyous, childlike innocence, while having matured into a seasoned songwriter. Blending fun with lyrical depth and intricate melodies, she released her debut single “Bad” late 2018.

Her scintillating sophomore single is infused with vivid, emotionally-laden lyrics about toxic relationships and highly addictive hooks. Initially catching the attention with a mellow, plucky guitar, a smooth, pulsating rhythm and breezy vocals, the song soon bursts to life in a jubilant chorus. With rich, anthemic drums and perky, sing-a-long harmonies, this is an exquisite earwig you can’t give up.

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In The Spotlight

Neal Francis – “These Are The Days”

The early musical life of this Chicago-based piano prodigy was both a true journey through legendary, genre-spanning influences and self-destruction, consumed by addiction. Now reborn in sobriety, he’s taken the sounds that shaped him, ranging from Allen Toussaint’s vocals to Billy Preston’s gospel-soul and reinvented his own vintage framed blend of New Orleans rhythms and Chicago blues.

His debut single is an invigorating amalgamation of retro-sounding genres. The late 60s R&B basis is embellished with an exhuberant gospel organ, soul-infused backing harmonies and a blazing horn section. With his honest, Allen Toussaint-reminiscent vocals digging deep into your soul and a melodic fusion oozing with nostalgic style, this fiery track pays tribute to the heyday of his musical roots.

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In The Spotlight

Olivia Henry – “In My Touch”

This multi-talented songstress grew up in Los Angeles, where she began classical vocal training with a Belgian opera singer from an early age. She also trained in jazz, contemporary music and musical theatre at CalArts conservatory and, after a debilitating back injury, taught herself piano and songwriting. She has written dozens of songs and self-released her debut EP “Sessions” in 2014.

The second single to be taken from her upcoming full-length debut album, which will be released later this year, is both sultry as ferocious. A steamy beat, sensuous guitar and smooth piano amplify an inherent sexual setting and with her fierce, empowering vocals condemning men who play games, this soul and blues touched pop anthem is dripping with feminine fervor and an enthralling intensity.

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