OUT TODAY: Listen To Qbanaa’s Debut Single, ‘Truth and Desire’

Citing Erykah Badu, Hiatus Kaiyote, Kali Uchis, Khruangbin, Amy Winehouse and Greentea Peng as inspirations, Cuban/Irish jazzy neo-soul singer-songwriter OBANAA – pronounced Cubana- has released her debut single ‘Truth and Desire’.

With a catchy bassline and soulful vocals ‘Truth and Desire’ mixes Qbanaa’s Spanish and English native tongues to create a flirty song celebrating the euphoria of re-discovering love after long periods of loneliness and includes choir like sections resembling the honeymoon period of new lovers.

Qbanaa explains the inspiration of ‘Truth and Desire’: “The song was inspired by 1989 and 2008 movie ‘The Little Mermaid’ – I’m sure people will think ‘oh that’s a bit weird’. But if you look into it, there’s some insane soul and beautiful ethereal sounds in there that I took inspiration from. The movie is all about the unconditional nature of pure love, and the universal power of music, which really resonated with me growing up and carries the theme of Truth and Desire, it was the first thing I thought of when I opened the track.’

Qbanaa’s collaboration ‘Blue Skies’ and ‘New Day’ with Absentee was well received, featuring on BBC Across The Line, Hot Press, Peter Curtin RTE 2XM and Nialler9’s Best New Music playlist. With such warm feedback, she took to South East London by herself to immerse herself in the jazz/soul scene. Sharpening her skills with live performances at multiple jazz venues in London and venues in Dublin, Qbanaa has finally decided to take the plunge and write her debut single with R&B and hip-hop producer Mickzart – Truth and Desire.

‘Truth and Desire’ is out today (7th of October) across various music platforms. Have a listen below…

Song of the Day: Crown – EROCKFOR

With her debut album ‘Phoenix’ arriving this Friday, 29th October, Canadian Cameroonian artist, songwriter, actress, burlesque performer, and poet EROCKFOR [pronounced eh-ROCK-for] brings along the blog’s second song of the day titled ‘Crown’, the last of five singles she has been revealing every month since May in the lead up to her album. ‘Crown’ comes on the back of recent support for Erockfor from the likes of Rolling Stone India, Wonderland Magazine, Earmilk, Ones To Watch, MTV Base, Flaunt Magazine and MEFEater, to mention a few.

Produced by LA-based electronic musician Blaire Michael, ‘Crown’ represents the seventh and final chakra ‘Sahasrara’, following Erockfor’s two previous singles ‘Sacral’ and ‘Heart’ that were named after the second and fourth chakra, with each song signifying different elements of her healing and rebirth journey so far. With ‘Crown’, Erockfor has delivered a rousing and free flowing opus with exquisite indie and pop sensibilities, held together by Erockfor’s spellbinding vocal performance, her magnetic lyricism, lush drum patterns and ethereal guitar arrangements.

Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘Crown’, Erockfor says, “The song is about recognising my true essence and my connection to the divine. I am at my happiest when I prioritize my spirituality. Sometimes, I fall off course, but when I walk that path of seeing myself as part of something greater, that’s when magic happens. This whole album is a co-creation with the universe and my ancestors. I wrote ‘Crown’ at a time when I was building my spiritual toolbox and rediscovering the power and importance of community – ‘Crown’ is a time capsule of that period of my life”.

Erockfor has come full circle after spending six years in Seoul, and is now back in her hometown in Montreal, where she crafted her forthcoming debut album ‘Phoenix’, which chronicles her journey between the abusive and adulterous marriage that caused her to escape to Korea and where she is now, over a genre-bending fusion of sonic beds. With a distinctive voice that has brought comparisons to Cyndi Lauper, Macy Gray and Amy Winehouse, Erockfor’s creative outlets also extend beyond music, as she is also revered as a burlesque performer, actress and poet.

Check out Erockfor’s spellbinding single below…

JUNO Award nominated R&B artist Emanuel shares new single ‘Worldwide’ + Lyric Video

Canadian R&B phenom EMANUEL‘s latest single ‘Worldwide’ captures a time when dreams were still dreams – before his music was streamed millions of times around the globe and his talent was admired by fans and critics alike.

Created in his producer/collaborator Bedroom’s basement, Emanuel recalls that the lyrics “floated up to the surface” as ‘Worldwide’ spontaneously took shape: “During that time, we were really dreaming out loud in the way that we would talk about our futures and in the way that we were trying to summon this grand reality. This song was really born from the deep want to take the music to the world.” Years later, ‘Worldwide’ has morphed from a manifestation mantra into a song of celebration and a prayer for the future.

“This past year has been a great learning experience for what it means to really manifest something and be appreciative of the things you’ve been able to uncover and draw from within yourself and make reality,” says Emanuel. “But even though we’ve manifested certain aspects of the song – and that’s a beautiful thing – it still wants to be seen out in its fullness. ‘Worldwide’ is a song of affirmation and it’s become a prayer to be able to continue until all of those goals are met in their completion.”

The dream to connect with people in the cities and countries he sings about is still very real for Emanuel since the pandemic has prevented him from bringing his music to stages around the world. “It’s wild to me how prophetic music can be. I’m still imagining going to those places, smelling the air, performing in front of crowds, and being able to truly live out what the song is talking about: to be able to take the message, the energy we bring, the light we’ve been blessed with; to be able to share that while also being open to receiving wisdom and exporting that back so we can enrich the places we’re in. That beautiful exchange, that’s the heart of it.”

Mixed by Gary Noble (Amy Winehouse, Nas, Public Enemy), “Worldwide” is the final glimpse into ALT THERAPY, Emanuel’s inaugural full-length project, before the album makes its eagerly anticipated debut on June 16th.

Earlier this Spring, Emanuel was honoured with his first JUNO Award nomination. His critically acclaimed debut EP Session 1: Disillusion has been nominated for Traditional R&B/Soul Recording of the Year which will be awarded at the 50th Annual JUNO Awards this June.

Have a listen to ‘Worldwide below, releases via Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company, and Motown Records.

Tom One Delivers Brand New Single, ‘Hey’ Featuring Lauren May

Originally hailing from Winchester (Hampshire),  DJ/producer in Tom Guyer – aka TOM ONE – usually deals with house/dance music – but for his latest single, ‘Hey’, he switches direction and  teams up with New Zealand born/East London based singer Lauren May for a carefree and laid-back vibe.

With the piano providing the platform for a classical soulful/jazz feel, the latest effort is enhanced by 27-year old May’s sultry vocal performance – arguably a cross between Amy Winehouse and Jorja Smith.

Tom One has built a name for himself for playing across the country, including his residency spot at Royal Holloway Univeristy’s Student Union, as well as supporting artists such as Chase & Status, Sigma and Becky Hill.

Released yesterday (27th January), ‘Hey’ is available on all download/streaming sites. Have a listen to the stunning single below…

East London Songstress Teeah Teams Up With Awarding-Winning Rapper Sarkodie For ‘Zengeh’

Exactly a year after her surprise soulful Afro-Jazz debut single ‘Save Me’, which caused a stir in the UK Afrobeats landscape, East London singer/songwriter TEEAH is back with her brand new single titled ‘Zengeh’, featuring the recently crowned 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards ‘Best International Flow’ winner Sarkodie.

The soulful Afro-fusion track sees TEEAH in her sultry element, highlighted by her captivating vocal performance and sweltering lyrics, while Sarkodie is consummate as ever, delivering one of his best guest appearances of the year.

Born in London of Bajan and Southern African heritage, TEEAH began singing at the age of ten, before going on to perform backing vocals for Hugh Masekela, Amy Winehouse, Mel B, Fred Hammond and Misha Paris, among others, performing at Love Box Festival, Royal Festival Hall, Channel 4, and X Factor UK. Over the years, she put her music career on hold for a more behind-the-scenes role in events and PR, but fast-forward to 2019, and TEEAH is now ready to share her exciting talent and music with the world…

‘Zengeh’ follows the release of the critically acclaimed house track ‘So Good’ and the neo-soul slow burner ‘Space & Time’ earlier this year and is taken from her untitled debut EP, which is due for release early next year. For her forthcoming project, TEEAH has worked with producer and longtime collaborator Delirious (Tinie Tempah, Lady Leshurr, and Stylo G).

Go get the first taste of the EP; check out ‘Zengeh’ right here…