In The Spotlight

Kate Vargas – “Nothing Turns My Lock”

Raised in New Mexico, this singer and songwriter spent her teens as a wild child. Now New York based, she’s turned a new corner and chose a path of meditation, yoga and a renewed focus on her music. She took her folk-rock sound, dipped in blues and jazz and played venues from The Troubadour in London to New York’s Bowery Electric. She released her debut album “Down To My Soul” in 2014.

Her new single opens the door to a dark and smoky bar, where the jazz is as dusty as the booze. From a dim, foggy corner, a melancholy saxophone tells its woeful tale to a smooth brush drum. Sitting on a bar stool next to the beaten-up lounge piano, Kate chronicles her own bluesy saga. With anĀ Eartha Kitt touched, whiskey-soaked vocal grit, she unlocked the twilit secrets of sultry vintage jazz.

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In The Spotlight

Laville – “This City”

Growing up in North London, British vocalist Andre Laville spent his teenage years singing and DJ-ing locally, while soaking up a cornucopia of different influences. Following a slew of jobs, from restaurants to various music venues, he found his way back to his own musical ambitions. In 2018 he was featured on Big Narstie’s album “BDL Bipolar” and he released his debut EP “Thirty One” in March 2019.

Dipped in Studio 54 flavors, his new single has 70s disco vibes bursting from every spirited groove. Taken from his upcoming debut album “The Wanderer” – slated for a July 26 release – it’s got a bouncy retro rhythm, vintage violins and soul-soaked vocals, reflecting the energy of bustling city life. With a Nile Rodgers inspired discolicious sound, this jaunty jam will light up every discoteque dancefloor.

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In The Spotlight

LƉVI – “Value”

Born in Blaricum, Dutch jazz and soul singer LĆ©vi Cox studied classical violin, piano and singing from a young age. She continued her studies at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Vocals. Inspired by artists ranging from Sarah Vaughan to Jessie J, she blends soul and jazz with pop and released her debut single “Giving Up Love“ in March 2019.

Her second single, taken from her debut EP “As I Am”, guides the listener along an emotional, auditory journey. Starting with tantalizing bass plucks, a jazzy rhythm soon joins in, accompanied by her impassioned vocals, which reach deep down and touch your soul. With the addition of a slightly bluesy-rock electric guitar solo and intimate lyrics, this ardent tune is poignant, personal and powerful.

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In The Spotlight

Soulpersona & Princess Freesia – “When You’re Broke”

British producer, composer, remixer and musician Morgan Howell, aka Soulpersona, has been an acclaimed feature of the music scene for over 10 years, having worked with soul legends such as Jody Watley, Leon Ware and Jocelyn Brown. When he joined forces with the majestic groovy diva Lija Rolavs, aka Princess Freesia, they turned a shared passion for Nu-Disco into a virulent neon-colored tingle.

With a funky bassline and a vintage-soused Disco vibe generating some glaring glitterball glitz, their new single takes the sounds of 70s and 80s discotheques and blends them together with contemporary production and a bit of attitude. Taken from their new album “The Game”, which is released today, it’s the groovelicious melody and the sexy Freesian vocal force that makes this lively jam irresistible.

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In The Spotlight

Brooklyn Funk Essentials – “Ain’t Nothing”

In 1993 a new collective presented an unique brand of eclectic funk to worldwide audiences. Made up from musicians, singers and poets from around the globe, they stood out, because of their artful mix of styles such as soul, jazz, latin and house. These Grammy nominated funkateers have released five albums and have been fronted by Alison Limerick and Desmond Foster since 2017.

The sophomore teaser of their forthcoming new album, scheduled for release on August 23, douses their one-of-a-kind funkalicious stylings into some groovy vibes and infuses it with some suave soul. The mellow bounce of the beat emphasizes the sweltering synths and with a catchy chorus adding some delicious horns, this delectable funky affair calls for us to unite on the path to a better future.

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In The Spotlight

Lulise – “Read My Hips”

Born as Suzanne Elise Gutierrez, this sparkling Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter earned a Bachelor Degree in vocal performance from the Musician’s Institute. For the past three years she was the Honey in the pop duo Honey & Jude. Having adopted a new moniker, she’s taking her cultivated R&B sound on an exciting new solo adventure. On June 2nd she’ll start a residency at L.A.’s Songbird CafĆ©.

With a steamy and ravishing ambiance, her satiny debut single is wrapped in seductive R&B heat. Reminiscent of the buttery-smooth diva’s of the early noughties, the sleek guitar plucks accompany her lustrous, silky vocals, before the addition of a mellow rhythm and creamy harmonies complete this enchanting gem and leave you feeling enamored and ready for a slow-dance until dawn.

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