I know, I know… I haven’t blogged in forever and many of you probably wonder what’s going on with me. Well, I won’t go into details, as this is not a personal blog, but I apologise to all the artists I should/could have written about in the past months. I may or may not catch up on all the posts I was planning on writing, but tonight something special happened. So special that I feel compelled to write again! It’s as if inspiration was coming from a very distant place and possessed me entirely a few minutes ago. This fire I feel burning inside at the moment makes it impossible for me to do anything but type these words and experience a wonderful moment of pure musical ecstasy. In case you are not familiar with my tendency to get carried away at times, you may thing I’m slightly crazy, but if you know me and read most of my previous posts, you already have an idea of how totally subjective and irrational I can be when it comes to music I love. So… after quite a lengthy introduction, it is now time I tell you what mesmerised me tonight, what incredible thing took over me and encouraged me to update the blog again. What happened was… Phraim released a new album! Ok, I know some of you may not know about this incredible Chicago-based producer, but he’s among the few I greatly appreciate. Silver Lined, his first project, is still in heavy rotation in my iTunes and it’s one of the albums I listen to the most regularly, regardless of genre. The anticipation has been slowly rising on my side, as this new album, the beautifully-titled Kasbah Moments, is a labour of love and Phraim is a perfectionist who knows great things should never be rushed. To say the result was worth the wait is an understatement. Actually, I believe it was released exactly when it needed to (a few days ago, on April 30th) and I discovered it, almost by chance, exactly when I was supposed to. Now, let me try and focus my thoughts and give you a few reasons why I love this album so much.
From the moment I laid my eyes on the album cover and when I heard the very first notes of Kasbah Moments, I knew I would love it. The cover is mysterious, enticing and bright, matching the content of the album perfectly. As soon as you see it, you know you are going to embark on a wonderfully beautiful musical journey to distant territories. In the same way as Scheherazade mesmerised the King with her stories, Phraim captivated my ears with his music. As I started listening to Kasbah Moments, my pleasure kept increasing and I successively designated each song as my favourite, such was the beauty and quality of every one of them. As I continued listening, a few stood out and touched me more deeply than others, but on the whole the album is excellent, from the first track to the last. Taking us on a journey to the Middle East, Phraim masterfully crafted soundscapes filled with emotion, beauty and light. For someone like me who is more and more interested in travelling around the world and discovering new cultures, this sounds perfect. While there’s nothing like being somewhere to fully experience the place and get lost in it, music can definitely help you wander in your mind and create your own version of those distant lands. Something I discovered on Silver Lined and can find here once again is the intricacy of the instrumentals, with a myriad of details adding up to create the overall effect. I can clearly picture Phraim spending hours creating those musical pieces, making sure everything is where it should be and sounds exactly how it is supposed to. All this technicality never prevents the music from sounding natural though and head-nodding drums, beautiful melodies and effects are combined perfectly. I can also picture myself as an Arab princess walking through the rooms of a huge palace or enjoying the caress of the sun and the songs of the birds while sitting by a fountain, but that’s another story. What I mean to say is that Phraim’s music is a perfect way to embark on a metaphorical journey and dream of beautiful landscapes while nodding your head to the hypnotic rhythm. One thing is already sure in my mind: Kasbah Moments will join Silver Lined in the list of my favourite albums and will be played over and over and over… again.
P.S. Phraim, it’s whenever you’re ready for the interview
Now that you know a bit more about Kasbah Moments, it’s time for you to discover the incredible album. Head to Phraim’s Bandcamp page to listen and buy the album, or simply click on the link below. Enjoy the journey!
I became acquainted with Rachel Brotman and her music through a Bandcamp recommendation by her fellow artist and collaborator Diggs Duke a few months ago. When I listened to her songs for the very first time, I was immediately mesmerised by the magnificence of the music. I found it very peaceful and soothing yet extremely powerful and emotional, while Rachel’s voice was the icing on the cake and sent my ears on a direct flight to cloud 9.
On Anecdote, the singer wrote most of the music and lyrics, but she is joined by a group of talented musicians who create an amazing soundtrack for her to delicately deliver her soft vocals. Infused with jazz, the EP is a wonderful collection of lovely tracks that is best appreciated on a quiet, overcast day, when the music is like a smooth balm for your heart and lifts your spirits as Rachel’s voice rises. While it is not necessarily sad or melancholic, the music has this particular quality that fits introspective moments perfectly. There is also an apparent simplicity in this project, some sort of innocence and humility, that is only enhanced by the angelic texture of the singer’s vocals. I don’t know what heaven sounds like if it exists but I have a strong suspicion it wouldn’t be too different from Anecdote… Closing my eyes while listening to the music, I could travel to a welcoming world where everything was beautiful and pure, and I felt a sensation of calm overwhelm me while I drifted off to the sound of the enchanting notes and lyrics.
While I am in no way a jazz specialist, I can’t but appreciate the arrangements and the atmosphere created by the various instruments, as well as the way they complement each other. Projects like this one also help me feel confident about the state of independent music, where young artists showcase a real passion for their art and take the time to hone their skills to present music of great quality that is honest and heartfelt. Rachel Brotman sounds like a breath of fresh air and is among the artists who make me fall in love with music all over again. The Anecdote EP will therefore be played quite regularly, until the singer provides my ears with more beauty. If you are in need of soothing music, I would advise you to listen to the project promptly and to let it please your heart and soul.
You can listen to and buy the Anecdote EP on Rachel Brotman’s Bandcamp page, or simply by clicking on the link below. As usual, spreading the word is highly recommended.
When I first listened to ArinMaya’s music, I stepped into a whole new universe where everything sounded fresh and innovative. With The Sound of ArinMaya, I got acquainted with the singer and I immediately fell in love with her unique style and voice. While the music was clearly rooted in soul and gospel, there was an electronic edge to it that gave the EP a sound that was unlike anything I had heard before. After that, I discovered the beautiful Let The Love Come, an album of acoustic music she released in association with guitarist Nick Cassarino. It was a way for the singer to showcase different skills and prove how versatile she could be, delving into folk music and giving a new life to a few famous songs.
Now, with Her Imaginings, the brand-new project she just released with frequent collaborator Theimagination, she is once again flipping the script and providing the listeners with a diverse selection of tracks filled with an electronic soulfulness that is deeply satisfying to my ears. Her Imaginings is actually the name of the group they formed and I dare hope for future releases from the duo. If this is the first project they put out as an official group, not all the tracks are recent on Her Imaginings, as is the case with Do You Think, a song that was present on The Sound of ArinMaya and that never failed to move me.
Dealing with personal experiences, love and loss, Her Imaginings sounds like a snapshot of the singer’s life, as her voice reinforces the various emotions carried by the lyrics. Of course the production by Theimagination is spotless and it only enhances the beauty of the vocals. A true collaborative project, Her Imaginings gives as much space to the singer as it does to the producer, and two perspectives are presented as the songs alternate with interludes where Theimagination lets his thoughts and feelings wander. The hypnotic element that can be found in songs like I Find You or Alright makes the album all the more compelling, while the feelings of hope and fear expressed in the lyrics make ArinMaya sound very candid and beautifully human. What I loved in The Sound of ArinMaya, where the singer affirmed she wanted to be Beautiful before asking her lost love: “do you think of me when you lay with her?” is present here, as she admits she is Scared, but asserts that everything will be Alright eventually. In life and in love, nothing is ever white or black, and it’s always a good thing to hear an album where balance is respected, where certain songs will be most appreciated when the sun is shining in your life and others will touch you more deeply when you are facing hurdles and challenges. To put it simply, Her Imaginings could be mine and the album will always move me, no matter what I’m going through.
Now that you know a little bit more about it, discover the first video taken from the album. This is Do You Think, one of my favourite tracks, which gets a wonderful visual treatment.
Since you must now be convinced of ArinMaya and Theimagination’s talent and the need for you to have Her Imaginings in your life, I invite you to listen to the album and buy it on Bandcamp, or simply by clicking on the link below.
I first told you about the amazing Elle Winston almost a year ago, when her debut EP Who Said It Was Simple? dropped (shout out to Sincere Vega for the discovery!) and I am quite excited to present to you her brand-new release. The sophomore EP, simply entitled Uncertainty, came out today and it has already secured it’s position among my favourites for 2013. While her first project was a way for Elle Winston to introduce the listener to her musical universe by showcasing her versatility and eclectic influences, this new EP sees her delve deeper and touch upon some topics that are more intimate and personal. As the title suggests and according to the singer herself, this is her most sincere work to date and was written at a time in her life where she was struggling and questioning herself. Using this Uncertainty as creative fuel, she crafted some intense songs that are as beautiful as they are touching and compelling. From the very first notes of Waitin’ On, I was caught in the rhythm of the beat and as my head nodded I could appreciate the heartfelt lyrics and Elle’s unique, sultry voice. Very easy to relate to, the first song is probably the one that touched me the most, but the incredible Sisters (which was available as an exclusive on The Wonderful Year of Carminelitta Vol. 3) and My Black, more specifically, are extremely candid and powerful. Dealing with what it means to be a black woman in today’s world, both songs ask rhetorical questions or expose situations that are sure to make you pause for a while and ponder. On a more delicate note, More is equally moving and I can’t but feel goosebumps on my arms as I indulge in the velvety vocals and overall atmosphere of the song. Closing this wonderful EP, Million Years is yet another testimony to Elle Winston’s talent, where she offers magnificent vocals that resonate in your heart long after the last note is over. Almost bringing tears to my eyes at every listen, this is one of the most emotionally-charged songs of Uncertainty and it is once again written beautifully, leaving the listener with food for thought and a smile on their face.
In case you had any doubt, I highly recommend you give Elle Winston’s brand-new project a listen and I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed. After seeing a few videos of the young singer on stage, all I can wish for 2013 is to finally meet her and get to see her perform in front of my eyes. In the meantime, I will listen to Uncertainty on repeat and feel blessed to be able to enjoy such quality music. She is among the artists that never fail to touch me, through her sincerity, her talent and her sensitivity.
P.S. Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with Elle, featured on this blog very soon!
You can discover the amazing Uncertainty on Elle Winston’s Bandcamp page, or simply by clicking on the link below. Enjoy and please spread the word!
Pumpkin is an artist I discovered quite recently, thanks to her frequent collaborators Supafuh and Teru, but I have since then caught up with her work, to my ears’ delight. When I interviewed her a few months ago in London, I met a passionate and determined woman who was eager to express herself through music and share her views on the world.
Today is a very important day for Pumpkin, as she releases her new EP, Silence Radio, a wonderful project she has been crafting for a long time. Patience is a virtue and it definitely pays off here, both for her and for listeners, who are in for a treat. With features by 20Syl (Hocus Pocus), Ty, Pugz Atoms or Metropolis (Foreign Beggars), to name just a few, the EP still remains imprinted with the “Pumpkin touch”, as the young woman decides to venture on more experimental territories while touching on topics that are in turn personal tales and social observations she is well-known for. In addition to the aforementioned MCs joining Pumpkin on the mic, talented producers Supafuh, Vin’S da Cuero, Quiet Dawn, Josh Fontan (Beatspoke) and DJ Vadim come to reinforce an amazing team and create refreshing instrumentals that allow the lyricists to shine.
The first two singles, Silence Radio and Examen de physique are great representations of the direction taken by Pumpkin on the project, with a solid hip-hop basis accompanied with electronic sonorities that only enhance the power of the lyrics. From new ways of “communication” that may not actually bring people closer to a widespread tendency to judge books by their covers and incidentally people by their appearance, Pumpkin, joined by Pugs Atomz and Ty respectively, provides a very interesting analysis of a few of the ills of modern societies. While the statements may not be highly optimistic, the tracks are quite compelling and are served with the MC’s signature lyricism and spotless production. If those two may serve as appetisers, they can’t sum up the whole project, which is much richer and encompassing. You will probably have understood by now that I highly recommend you get your hands on Silence Radio, whether you prefer vinyl (who could resist such a gorgeous orange record?!), CD or digital. You can get it on , Fnac or through her website.
Because I support Pumpkin wholeheartedly and want as many people as possible to discover this excellent project, I teamed up with her to offer one of you a copy of Silence Radio on CD. All you have to do is register for my newsletter (if you haven’t done so already) and answer a very simple question to enter the draw. The winner will be announced in two weeks. To subscribe to the newsletter, simply enter your email address HERE or under the “Mailing list” tab on the right-hand side. Alternatively, you can contact me directly by email.
Now, to help you understand why this Silence Radio EP is an absolute must-have, I will share the first two singles with you. First of all, the title track is a wonderful collaboration with DJ Vadim and Pugs Atomz, with visuals that only increase its appeal.
Then, the freshly-released second single is featuring London-based legendary MC Ty, for an Examen de Physique in the streets of London. When two talented artists decide to join forces on such quality production, the result can’t be anything less than amazing. Enjoy and spread the word!
When I first told you about Dutch singer Rebekka Ling, she was already working on her debut album Travel Light. Giving priority to hard work and quality over trends and “hot” albums that are forgotten in a matter of weeks, the artist provides the listeners with a solid project that will be remembered as all timeless music is. She also proves that the Netherlands definitely have soul (in case we didn’t know that already…). Once again I am quite late in telling you about this, since the album came out last June (oh, how time flies!), but of course I had to do it eventually. I wouldn’t want you to miss out on such quality music and I hope you will be grateful to me for that. Now, let me tell you a bit more about Travel Light and why you need it in your life.
What I really appreciate about an artist is when they create music that is based on what they love to listen to, but they add their personal touch. While I tend to be quite open-minded and eager to discover experimental sonorities, I am always delighted to hear a good old soulful/jazzy album that makes me vibrate and touches the sentimental side of me. With Travel Light, Rebekka Ling draws influences mainly from classic soul and jazz but adds a contemporary twist, with tracks that will make you want to dance the night away, or some that flirt with broken beat. The music is really soothing, smooth as a caress and will probably be appreciated most during late evening and early night listening/dancing sessions. In addition to the beautiful soundscapes created on every single song, Rebekka’s voice is flawless, sounding like it’s coming out of the soul of a singer from the 1980-90′s living in the body of a young woman in the 2000′s. I was even impressed by how amazing she sounds, as the title track I had heard many, many months ago didn’t really prepare me to such vocal quality. As if the beautiful music and vocals were not enough to enchant me, the lyrics are quite well-written and deal with the eternal topics of life and love. This, of course, may not sound very original, since most soul albums spread similar messages, but it is always interesting to discover an artist’s personal experiences and how they creatively express them. Most songs actually present the different sides of love and describe how relationships evolve, from bliss to heartaches, in ways that are very easy to relate to. From Higher and Fly Away to Missing You or Without Love (probably my favourite track), Rebekka shares her joys and her pains in a very open and touching way. Overall a very pleasing sonic experience, Travel Light calls for repeated listens, whenever you need a little uplifting music. Whereas some of the songs may be slightly less optimistic than others, they still retain a positive element and help you keep your head up while believing in betters day to come. The whole album is like the sunshine after the rain, a hot chocolate on a cold day, or whatever it is that makes you feel good and puts a smile on your face.
Now that you know a little bit more about Rebekka Ling and Travel Light, you can purchase the album via . In case you need any more convincing, listen to one of my favourites tracks, Missing You.
Here is one of the many posts that have been waiting in line for months and that I absolutely wanted to share with you. I guess “newness for your ears” may be replaced by “long overdue” in some instances, but as I stated several times on this blog already, better late than never… Why did I want to tell you about this project that came out several months ago? Well, it’s quite simple: few artists have this capacity to blow me away on first listen. K.I.N.E.T.I.K. is one of those. If you are not yet familiar with him and his music, then I consider it my mission to get you acquainted. I first discovered him when he was part of Grand Central, one of the most famous hip-hop duos in London, and I have followed his adventures ever since (however late I was). After seeing him on stage when the group opened for Black Milk during one of his shows in the English capital, I was impressed by his flow, witty rhymes and energy. While the dynamics in Grand Central worked quite well, I have to admit I’ve always preferred his solo endeavours and I was happy to learn he was still working very hard after the split, releasing projects and videos on a regular basis. The latest to date is the one I will now tell you more about, the last instalment in his album series, The Kinesis Thesis Vol. III.
Whereas many talented MCs and producers stand out from the crowd in my opinion, a handful amaze me with the quality of their writing, flow and concepts. With the three volumes of his Kinesis Thesis, K.I.N.E.T.I.K. presents a very interesting project that is both deeply personal and universal. Dealing with past experiences, family, love but also society and its ills, the MC provides the listener with food for thought while making their head nod. For this last release, he surrounded himself with some of the most talented MCs and producers the UK counts, which obviously gives great results. Whether it is anthem-like tracks (Here we go, Year of the underdog), positive statements (Flying high), personal and intimate tales (Gone, See the sun, Fatherhood) or social analysis (Products of the city), K.I.N.E.T.I.K. excels at touching the listeners by making it easy for them to relate to his words. For the writer that I am, words are very important and it’s always a pleasure to witness the artist’s impressive lyrical skills. Both a realist and an optimist, the MC infuses his music with an honesty and intelligence that are highly refreshing. Placed at the very end of the project, the track that sums up the whole Kinesis Thesis series is one of the best examples of K.I.N.E.T.I.K.’s mastery in terms of flow and lyrics. Number 3 never ceases to amaze me, especially because of the great amount of knowledge it is filled with. Explaining the concept of the three albums in a very creative way and making it easier for the listeners to understand his thought process, the MC closes the chapter in the best way possible. The good news is, he doesn’t seem to be willing to stop anytime soon, which means I will probably tell you about him again in the near future. In the meantime, catch up on all volumes of the series if you don’t have them already.
You can download The Kinesis Thesis Vol. III on K.I.N.E.T.I.K.’s Bandcamp, or simply by clicking on the link below.
Now that you know more about K.I.N.E.T.I.K. and his latest album, you can enjoy the visuals! Here is one of my favourite tracks and videos, the very positive Flying high.
Another great track in a different genre, Products of the city life presents a somewhat grim but realistic picture of what life in London can be like. The visuals only enhance the lyrics and could almost make me miss the capital…
Ladies and gentlemen, The Wonderful World of Carminelitta is back (again)! I know, I know… I guess there’s no denying the obvious: life has been hectic and my mind elsewhere in the past months, and despite a vague desire to update the blog more regularly and start sharing some music with you again, I was simply not in a space where I felt motivated and inspired enough to do it. After a few attempts which proved to be short-lived, I’m giving it a new try. Many posts are waiting in line, but for tonight, I thought some smooth French soul would be appropriate.
I told you about Aldrick on two occasions, first for his collaboration with French spoken word artist JLS on the album DES MOTS [dé]NOTENT, and second with his acapella EP Dans Ma Chambre. As I already explained then, Aldrick is part of the numerous artists I discovered on MySpace in what seems to be another digital lifetime and I’ve always appreciated his voice, his style and sense of humour. After giving us those very appetising teasers, the French singer finally delivered a long-awaited debut album back in May. While I tend to listen mainly to American artists, as well as a few from the UK, I have to admit I have overlooked artists from my own country for the most part of the last years. When I discover albums like Histoire de…, I am reminded of how much talent France has nurtured and I am therefore tempted to go back to listening to more “homegrown” music. Aldrick is clearly among my favourites and the album is yet another confirmation of his skills.
An eclectic collection of songs that range from dancefloor-friendly, feel-good music (Bouge) to stripped down vocal prowesses (Tous les garçons et les filles) or straight emotional soul (Come back, Je t’aime) and sensual invitations (Bodytalk), among others, Histoire de… constitutes a very comprehensive introduction to Aldrick’s universe. As the cover artwork illustrates, the singer offers us different sides of his personality and moods, appealing to different people or matching various moments in the day or life. As a whole, the album is extremely satisfying and calls for repeated listens, both for the incredible smoothness of Aldrick’s voice and the well-written, heartfelt lyrics. Listening to it now, I am drawn mostly to the most intimate songs, especially the aforementioned Come back and Je t’aime, as well as Rester gravé, but I know that at other times I can be attracted to the blunt but borderline funny Franchement tu m’énerves, which was one of the first songs I ever heard from him, or even the beautiful ode to his mother that is Y en a qu’une.
As usual when talking about French artists to an audience that is mostly from the States, I will have to say that while understanding the words is quite important, you can still appreciate the beautiful music and atmosphere created by the various songs. Highly influenced by soul, Histoire de… is also sprinkled with different other elements, making it a musical melting-pot and testimony to Aldrick’s own complexity and varied inspirations.
All that is left to say now is, do yourself a favour and treat your ears to some high quality French soul. You won’t be disappointed.
You can grab Histoire de… on (among others). Once you placed your order, enjoy the official video for the first single, Franchement tu m’énerves. The visuals really respect the lyrics and spirit of the song, which should make it easy for you to understand what’s going on. Enjoy and spread the word!
As I mentioned on several occasions before, one of my favourite things in life is to discover new music through artists I appreciate and support. Another thing I love is when I have a chance to collaborate with said artists, but also when MCs and producers I know decide to work together. Now, if you consider John Graham’s new album Magic: Blanc et Noir ticks all the boxes, you will easily understand that it became an instant favourite as soon as I started listening to it. Let me develop all this a bit more… I first heard of John Graham thanks to Prosthetik Intelligentz, a group I greatly appreciate and who used my voice on their project The Sounds & WondersEP with GravityMovement. This lead me not only to become familiar with John’s music but also to be part of his new project. Finally, when I read the tracklist and saw that Shade Cobain and Prosthetik Intelligentz’ very own Doom Got Beats produced some songs on the album, a huge smile appeared on my face. The smile of course remained when I pressed play and discovered the beautiful music they both created.
At a time when many so-called artists rely on public image and trends to be “successful”, it is quite reassuring to know that others still decide to provide the listeners with music that is the result of creative self-expression and hours spent working on their craft and honing their skills. With Magic: Blanc et Noir, John Graham presents a concept album dealing with the constant contradictions and going back and forth you can find in life and within yourself. The introduction by yours truly actually gives you a good idea of what to expect and I am really happy to say that John and I were on the same wave-length when it came to how we considered the album. Clearly one of his most personal and honest works to date, Magic: Blanc et Noir is compelling by its bluntness and willingness to say what others don’t even dare to think.
While some listeners may be taken aback and view some of the tracks as controversial, I can’t but praise the MC’s courage and openness. Among the most striking examples I could cite is Uncivil Rights, where he explains how reality usually differs from what people think or are made to believe in terms of civil rights and equality in the United States. On a more personal note, Not In Love is a heartfelt statement about relationships which is once again a way for John Graham to show how you can never see things only in “noir” or “blanc”. In love and in life, nothing is ever guaranteed and feelings are some of the most difficult things to nurture and maintain. Another track that develops a similar idea wonderfully is Love & War, whose title sums up the message quite well. Deirdra Copeland’s voice is pure beauty and reinforces the emotional appeal of the lyrics. Going even deeper within, Addictions is probably one of the most personal tracks of the album and it is quite impressive to see how the MC is baring his soul. The lovely instrumental only enhances the power of the song and makes it one of my favourites. Another special mention goes to All Seeing Eyes, a beautiful message to his wife and son which clearly didn’t leave me unmoved.
Taking us on a journey through life and love, with its ups and downs, joys and sorrows, successes and failures, John Graham never censors himself and offers an authentic and inspiring message of hope despite the hardships. Every single song is a way for the listener to reflect upon society and politics, relationships and family, while enjoying the enchanting soundtrack created by the various producers. More than ever, I am grateful to know so many incredible artists who help me keep faith in the future of music and maybe even humanity…
Now that you know a bit more about Magic: Blanc et Noir, I invite you to listen to and download the album via John Graham’s Bandcamp page, or simply by clicking on the link below. Enjoy and please spread the word!
Catching up on new music after a 2-week break (plus an extended M.I.A. period…) is no easy task, especially when several of my favourite artists decided to drop their gems right when I was away. With that said, I will do my best to share the best with you and as usual I will ask you to bare with me and be patient. As I was listening to various albums waiting in my iTunes this morning, I decided to indulge in Bama Love Soul’s On Deck another time. I already listened to the excellent compilation shortly after it was released but didn’t seize the opportunity to tell you about it earlier. Bama Love Soul is one of my favourite blogs and probably the one I have been following for the longest. While I may not check it out as regularly as I used to, I know I can always count on them to put me on some incredible sonic treasures. Whether I listen to artists I have never heard of before, brand-new tracks I haven’t discovered yet or compilations and mixes by founder DJ Rahdu, I am always extremely happy after I visit the website. When I learned that it was threatened to close due to increased expenses but that supporters/readers could help, I didn’t hesitate and contributed to the Kickstarter campaign they launched. After successfully raising the necessary funds, they finally released one of the most awesome compilations I have listened to in quite a while.
My excitation grew even more rapidly when I read the tracklist for On Deck. With artists like Diggs Duke, Greg Blackman, Nicholas Ryan Gant, Ahmed Sirour, Tall Black Guy or Freddie Joachim, just to name a few, this compilation sounded incredible even before I lent my ears to it. Not only is every single track on here a wonderful piece of music, but the way the album has been arranged creates a natural, smooth flow that makes it very enjoyable. There is clearly a feel-good factor here and I think it is quite impossible not to nod your head and smile while listening to it. In addition to the general positive atmosphere, certain tracks are also quite sensual and turn the compilation into the perfect soundtrack to a late night listening session, preferably in good company. The most appropriate track for this is probably Xolisa’s Be Felt, which was definitely my best discovery on the album. Another special mention goes out to Ahmed Sirour and his BrookLon (BK meets UK) which confirms his place at the top of my favourite producers list. I could actually go on and mention every single track selected for the compilation, as they are all special and wonderful in their own way. What I will do instead is encourage you to get your hands on the vinyl, CD or even digital download and enjoy the journey. You will not regret it, trust me.
You can purchase On Deck via Bama Love Soul’s Bandcamp page or by clicking on the link below. For more information about the compilation, you can also visit Bama Love Soul. Enjoy & spread the word!
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