The fantastic new single from singer-songwriter Leona Berlin continues to pave the way for her in-the-works third full-length. Always keen to present new facets to her music and never afraid to try new things, Berlin relishes in this enthused and playful number which positions her once again alongside long-time collaborators in Magro for co-production and songwriter partner Kenny Wesley. Berlin's music has consistently touted the benefits of individuality, self-awareness and self-confidence and the importance of those values as a starting point to move forward with. Whetehr it be earlier single releases including 'Cage', 'Feminine Energy' or more recent efforts with 'Who You Are', Berlin has practically created statements of anthemic impact that continue to position her as the benchmark for today's R&B and neo-soul artists.
Released in support of Nautilus' latest full-length through Oonops Drops, 'Pacific Voyage', the Japanese jazz trio continue their run of reimagined classics with Leon Ware's 'Why I Came to California'. Unfortunately, just missing out on inclusion for the album, this double A-side finds a lush home alongside the Soul Supreme remix of the classic Bobby Caldwell number 'What You Won't Do for Love'. Two excellent guest vocals grace 'California' however including German actress Denise M'Baye and (aptly) California-based vocalist, producer and multi-instrumentalist Eki Shola whose 2023 album release '還 (Kaeru)' served as her own love letter to Japan. Infectious and up-lifting with an undeniable groove, 'Why I Came to California' is a brilliant and imaginative rendition of Ware's classic.
Currently relishing in the praise and plaudits from the sensational 'Twelve Feet High' EP released in July, singer, songwriter and producer, Stella Santana, unveils a brand new video for her track 'The Nice Way'. A fantastic video that brilliantly captures so much of Santana's on-screen charm and serves as an excellent accompaniment for one of the EP's gleaming highlights. The somewhat elusive LA-based artist has amassed a steady flow of standalone singles and EP releases over the years that prove to be the puzzle pieces of her own musical make-up. A deeply impassioned and socially conscious innovator who continually seeks to inspire open thought, action and compassion while further encouraging people to "emancipate yourselves from mental slavery". There's a steady amount of fantastic Stella Santana releases out there but the 'Twelve Feet High' EP would certainly mark a good first port of call for the uninitiated.
Continuing his run of excellent releases this year marks the return of producer and musician, Ben Blackadder. Initially having been introduced to audiences via his lush single for David Hanke's Bathurst label, a brief hiatus brought him back with a vengeance with 'On My Mind' marking the third single release in four months. With the fantastic singles 'Fragile' and 'Dust' proving to be an outstanding showcase of multi-faceted, dance-floor friendly sublime electronica, Blackadder's latest single finds its home on the Brighton-based recording hub, Dark Heart Recordings. A label professing to dedicate themselves to the "sound of Future Garage music", the label offers up some superb music courtesy of Shakes x Eónika ('They Don't Know') and the ten-minute epic by Patros15 & Ghost-Youth, 'Night Dialogue / Forlorn Lust'. Blackadder's warm and intimate textures, bolstered by exquisite use of vocal samples lends itself amongst Dark Heart's best.
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