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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-

Geo Gabriel – ‘Destiny’

Quick pitch:

Uplifting soul vibes and expressive performance with a hint of 70’s disco/funk. It’s our “destiny” with Geo Gabriel!

dynamic: ★★★/5

style★★★/5

performance:   ★★★★/5

Trivia:

An enthusiastic and influential performer, singer, songwriter, producer with an enviable track record. Not only does Geo Gabriel write and produce records, he has also had his records played in France, Egypt, Italy, Turkey and was requested to perform in Africa while receiving national press coverage in various African countries. Geo’s qualifications and involvement in the music business have seen him work across many genres including soul, rock, pop, reggae, afrobeat, jazz hip hop etc. Geo’s sound is described as cutting-edge music that stimulates the mind. Though his music travels across various genres, it has a very strongly rooted bedrock of soul. He is very well respected amongst his peers as one the highest male soul vocalist in the country. His experience and voice have consistently won him opportunities in the industry and his soulful vocals have made him highly sorted after by some of the biggest names in pop music such as Madonna, Leona Lewis, Beverley Knight, Lionel Richie, Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave) Michael Bolton, Joe Cocker, Ruby Turner, Monty Norman (Bond theme), Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, The Game, Will Young, Take That, 30 Seconds To Mars, Placebo, Primal Scream, Bloc Party, Damon Albarn, Sissel (Titanic sound track) and Susan Boyle. Geo has also performed on stage in front of Prince Charles, Prince Edward and the president of Iceland. At various events, he’s entertained overseas presidents and prime ministers. “You have not experienced Geo Gabriel until you’ve seen him live” is just one of many praises Geo has garnered for his dynamic, energetic and captivating live shows. People are very positive about his music, often referring to it as thought-provoking and exhilarating. The Geo Gabriel experience is a soulful journey, the real bedrock of soul.

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Caj Morgan – ‘Dreams’

Quick pitch:

From Sweden a smooth “future soul” tune by Caj Morgan

dynamic: ★★/5

style★★★/5

performance:   ★★★★/5

Trivia:

Swedish Producer, Songwriter & Sound engineer.

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Mansa Obi- ‘YRNRW’

Quick pitch:

Seductive track… A mutli-genre miracle!

dynamic: ★★★★/5

style★★★★★/5

performance:   ★★★/5

Trivia:

After surviving a Thirty-Five foot fall with his close friend August 16th, 2016. Four surgeries and a year of rehab later; Mansa Obi has emerged from the ashes to finish his life’s work. Known for his creation of Authentic Bounce (not to be confused with “Classic” Bounce) seductive melodies, blunt–commentary and creation of the bass-less genre. Mansa hopes to continue to push the cultures forward sonically with his album self-titled “Mansa”.

As a DJ & Producer Mansa showcases an incredible attention to detail,: with cuts like “Liberation,” alternating his rap flow with an incredibly soulful hook; while bravely placing the production in the background, to let the vocals function as rhythm and bass. Only to surprise us with rare 3 am New Orleans Bounce releases. Not many artist can do this, correction not many artist can think like this and to create such a compelling sound. Mansa Obi strikes for an organic and direct sound, no tricks, just honesty and talent, as it also appears from the reflective and personal lyrics. Hands down, some of the most original and daring hip hop I have heard period; somewhere in between the old school (samples, soul influences…) and the new (tight analog beats, fat low end).

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Jodie Abacus – ‘Hard Work’

Quick pitch:

For all hard-working heroes, this is “our” uplifting hymn…

dynamic: ★★★★★/5

style★★★★/5

performance:   ★★★★/5

Trivia:

Not only this, Jodie Abacus has announced his album launch headline show at Omeara, London, on Friday 23rd November. Buy tickets here <insert link>

The South-London singer has been causing a stir since the early days of ‘I’ll Be That Friend’ & ‘Good Feeling’, with Abacus winning hearts at BBC Radio 1 & 1Xtra – not to mention key tastemaker support from the likes of i-D, Pigeons & Planes, Noisey to name a few.

On the release, Abacus says “whenever people couldn’t understand my relentless motivation and what I was about, or haters and doubters had bad things to say, whether in front or behind me, none of those things ever mattered. Why? Because we’re all gonna die one day…I have my vision and that’s my mission. “

‘Hard Work’ is the final release to be taken from the debut LP from Jodie Abacus.’Take This And Grow Flowers’ is due for release on Friday 26th October 2018. The album was inspired by “the worst, mental, fuck-with-my-head year” which saw the singer break-up with a girlfriend of five years and suffer a near-death experience with pneumonia. Jodie now lives with the attitude that he “must be able to take shit and grow flowers”.

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Bastien – ‘Stay With Me’

Quick pitch:

A pop/neo-soul gem form Romania…

dynamic: ★★★/5

style★★★/5

performance:   ★★★★/5

Trivia:

It hurts when you love someone who has feelings for someone else – especially when that other person isn’t serious. This is exactly what “Stay With Me”, the debut single of the Romanian newcomer Bastien, is about. “I’m here to find a way / Help you open up your eyes / Make you truly understand / He is wearing a disguise / You are wasting all your time / On somebody that will leave”, he sings in the first verse, and then demands with urgency: “Stay With Me”. “The song is inspired by a personal experience,” Bastien reveals. “It’s about a complicated love triangle in which no one is happy. It’s about making a decision.”

Carried by warm synthesizers, “Stay With Me” is sensual and at the same time full of groove. Bastien moves skilfully between pop, neo-soul and electronica. The verses, reminiscent of artists such as James Arthur, James Blake, are followed by a hymn-like chorus in the Hozier “Take me to Church” style. The song is produced by Stefan Merz from Frank & Friedrich. In winter 2018, the Berlin electro duo had already featured Bastien as guest singer for their single “Higher”, which has long since broken the million mark on Spotify. “I wrote ‘Stay With Me’ shortly after returning home from the recordings with Frank & Friedrich,” Bastien recalls. “I sat on the balcony with my guitar and just started singing.” The theme of the song is also captured in the dramatic music video. There is a clash between Bastien and his rival. The girl has to make a decision after a fight with her conscience – but this is different than expected…

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Siobhan Heard – ‘Beating, not Broken’

Quick pitch:

In heaven, everything is fine…. With Siobhan Heard…

dynamic: ★★★/5

style★★★★/5

performance:   ★★★★★/5

Trivia:

“‘Beating, not Broken’ was very challenging for me to write. It was the last song I wrote for the EP, but I wrote it when I was still very raw about Samantha’s death. Even though I was still hurting, I wanted to write something uplifting—something that would make me feel encouraged when I sang it. When I sat down to write it alone, the lyrics just weren’t coming. I ended up calling my friend, songwriter Andre Leneal, a good friend who knew both me and Sam well, and it was produced by another friend of both of ours, EASTEND. They worked with me, pushing and pulling when necessary, to create something that I think turned out triumphant.” – Siobhan Heard

“Beating, not Broken” is the first single from Siobhan Heard’s upcoming EP Heart-Beats Vol 1. The EP is a journey through the emotional runs of Siobhan’s relationship with Samantha and the aftermath of her untimely death. It’s incredibly personal and details an experience that many can connect with, but so many are afraid to talk about. As a queer, woman of color, Siobhan represents a voice that is needed to be heard in today’s world.

Texas-born singer/songwriter, Siobhan Heard, started singing in her father’s church at 12 years old. Using the church to break out of her shell, Heard eventually found joy in studying jazz and classical music academically. Siobhan’s introduction to the creative mecca of Leimert Park, in Los Angeles was a turning point, opening doors to key musical relationships as she sought her unique sound. During this time, Siobhan met the very talented, late Samantha Purple. Purple took an interest in Heard’s talent, and used her resources to develop Siobhan into what would eventually become the flagship artist of Purple’s production company—Tha Blazin Star. Released in October of 2016, Love In All Aspects is Siobhan Heard’s debut album, the culmination of over a year’s worth of work, and a lifelong love of song.

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“Soul Professor”: Christos Doukakis