Column aiming to present 6 glowing with quality tracks, under the “future soul” genus; An amalgam of soul, contemporary R&B and even hip-hop and electronic elements.
-not to be confused with Daley’s “Future Throwback Soul” term-
Speech Debelle – ‘Come Your Way’
Quick pitch:
A smooth and soulful slice of alternative hip-hop and ancestral rap via an impeccable neo soul filter by Speech Debelle…
dynamic: ★★★★★/5
style: ★★★★/5
performance: ★★★★/5
Trivia:
Corynne Elliot, better known as Speech Debelle kicked in the music industry’s backdoor in 2009, waving her sensitive, introspective Mercury Prize ‘British Album of the Year’ and debut album ‘Speech Therapy’, beating the likes of Florence and the Machine, Kasabian and La Roux. Her 2012 Kwes-produced sophomore album ‘Freedom Of Speech’ commanded further critical acclaim, while expanding Speech’s captivating flair for poetic testimonies, playful narratives and dynamic rumination on power, politics and pleasure.
She later stepped away from music for a few years to develop her other passions; her zeal for cooking tantalised the nation with her inventive recipes as a semi-finalist on Celebrity MasterChef, while in 2013 her socially conscious drive saw her curating a moving exhibition of art by prisoners for the Koestler Trust’s ‘The Strength and Vulnerability Bunker’ at the Southbank Centre.
Speech combined her love for music and food in her weekly podcast ‘The Work Brunch’, where she cooked and discussed music, life and inspiration with a range of esteemed guests, such as Lianne La Havas, Nitin Sawhney, Shabaka Hutchings and Mikill Pane.
She accompanied her third album ‘Tantil before I breathe’ with her own cookbook and memoir expressing that ‘music and food are art – they heal and inspire’. The nine songs spanning all three of her albums tell a story of abandonment, the artistic process, critical acclaim, record label mistakes and healing, with a delicious, inspired recipe for each.
Secret Night Gang – ‘Don’t Know What Tomorrow Brings’
Quick pitch:
British jazz, funk and street soul masters, Secret Night Gang return with the release of groove-led single and announce their highly anticipated second studio album ‘Belongs On A Place Called Earth‘ set to be released on Friday 23rd June 2023 via Brownswood Recordings.
dynamic: ★★★★/5
style: ★★★/5
performance: ★★★★★/5
Trivia:
Manchester jazz-funkers Secret Night Gang bring their bold debut album to Brownswood Recordings. Led by the soulful vocals of Kemani Anderson and featuring saxophonist Callum Connell’s pin-sharp orchestrations, Secret Night Gang is a joyful slice of summer-soul goodness that nods to the vibrant history of jazz-inflected soul, while reflecting today’s genre blending sensibilities in a heady mix of gospel, R&B, souljazz and more. Manchester natives Anderson and Connell met aged seven playing football in Fallowfield, to the south of the city. After briefly losing touch during their teenage years, they reunited during high school music lessons, eventually forming a promising songwriting duo. All the while though, they kept their writing exploits under wraps. The duo cut their teeth on Manchester’s lively jam scene – there they met the band’s original bassist, Stu Whitehead, forming a trio that jammed in an Old Trafford lockup under the cover of darkness. More exposure led to the acquisition of drummer Myke Wilson (Corinne Bailey Rae, 52nd Street) and producer/engineer Yvonne ‘D’Alchemiss’ Ellis. The core band also features the Nile Rodgers-adjacent rhythm guitar work of Jack Duckham.
Aieysha Haws – ‘INFINITY 4 U’
Quick pitch:
A poetic neo soul/alternative hip-hop gem, with a stunning vocal performance by up-and-coming Aieysha Haws…
dynamic: ★★★★/5
style: ★★★★★/5
performance: ★★★★★/5
Trivia:
Singer-Songwriter Aieysha Haws, fuses multiple genres with RNB & Hip-Hop Soul to create a sonically unique & compelling sound that is lively, rich in wit, vivid, powerful & unpredictable. From Toronto, ON. A new chapter begins with ‘INFINITY 4 U’ her most anticipated single to date. Turmoil, Zodiac Signs, & Butterflies the first of her invigorating singles, released in 2021. Listeners’ Choice: Today’s Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop, Eh!, Hip-Hop/R&B by Stingray Music, The Digilogue After Dark: Toronto on Audiomack, City of Toronto, City of Mississauga, NEXT, iMullar, BBC Music, CBC, CHR, & more, have given her critical acclaim & worthy placements. On the playlist of Best Songs/‘Stand-Out’ artists from the 2022 Toyota Searchlight contest, Aieysha Haws – Turmoil was selected. Chicago’s VocaloRadio named her “Poised to Breakthrough”, renowned for “confident vocals & a willingness to go against the grain, Aieysha Haws tests the limits of the English language.” – (HHNM). Music from Patti LaBelle, Tina Turner, & artists alike, inspired & accelerated her passion for storytelling, arts, & community at an early age. Across the world, Aieysha Haws shares love & wisdom through captivating melodies, piercing lyricism, & effervescence to help people grow & thrive amidst life’s surprises ~ #WiseEyes.
Hugh Klein – ‘Lead The Way’
Quick pitch:
Hugh Klein returns with new single ‘Lead The Way’ – his first offering since 2020 debut ‘Quand C’est Mou‘ and sophomore single ‘Sensitive‘ – a romantic, neo-soul offering drenched with the essence of Paris,
dynamic: ★★★★/5
style: ★★★★★/5
performance: ★★★★/5
Trivia:
Who is Hugh Klein? Raised in Melbourne Australia, following his ongoing career in film composition, Hugh found himself living in the city of Paris, and soon giving birth to these sounds… Sourcing inspiration from romance, warm evenings, floral scents, clothes waving & wrapping the curves of your body, gold & tobacco, “You go your way, I go your way too”, low light amongst white flowers, fingertips… Hugh directs his musical exploration to his deliberate fascination with intimacy & romance. With wide spanning influence from pockets of Blue Note jazz & neo-soul to feature film scores, Hugh offers an eye on his ongoing story, to be swept into and carried along… The coming record ‘No Plans, No Rules’ moves through themes of intimacy, adoration, the rebirth of desire & genuine romance. Engaging each mood with floating vocals & guitar, brushed percussion, lush string arrangements and rich Rhodes & Wurlitzer’s.
Alannah Chapman – ‘Button-Up Shirts’
Quick pitch:
Alluring neo soul with adult contemporary finishing touches by Alannah Chapman….
dynamic: ★★★/5
style: ★★★★/5
performance: ★★★★/5
Trivia:
Chapman is one of the most exciting emerging artists pushing alternative R&B and hip-hop beats. In Alannah’s musical existence, three things reign supreme – writing, playing and sharing her unique and addictive blend of jazz-infused alternative r&b with hip-hop beats; she is inspired by a diverse array of artists including Bruno Major, Hope Tala, Greentea Peng, Conor Albert and Noga Erez.
Raymond Theard – ‘She Wants Me’ (Feat. Frannie EL)
Quick pitch:
…’She Wants Me‘ by Raymond Theard feat. Frannie EL. A chillin’ song about a guy who is Imagining that a beautiful and sexy woman wants him. He is singing about something that isn’t real. Seductive!
dynamic: ★★★★/5
style: ★★★/5
performance: ★★★★/5
Trivia:
Raymond (Ray-T) Theard is an Artist, Producer, Owner and CEO of 4u Productions LLC. Latest release “She Wants Me” feat. Frannie EL, released on March 31, 2023. His next release is “Please Don’t Go” feat. Nolo scheduled for May 5, 2023 (Happy Cinco de Mayo). More to come as well… including @Corey Hill’s release “Let’s Talk About It” written and produced by Ray-T, to be released on April 14, 2023. There are many ways to describe Raymond Theard: Unique, talented and charismatic, not afraid to take chances. Above all, Raymond Theard is real. He sings honestly and from the soul combining art, story and song in perfect unison. He is an aspiring Music producer who started out playing the trumpet in marching bands at age 12 in New Orleans. He is a U.S. Army veteran, husband and father who overcame countless obstacles on the way up, and continues to work hard each and every day to keep his musical journey moving forward.
[Note: All trivia sections provided by the artists]
“Soul Professor”: Christos Doukakis