New Music Video: Waters Run Deep – Coco (ft. Shola Ama)

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COCO continues his rapid ascent with the release of the compelling Waters Run Deep featuring an inspired collaboration with the urban scene’s sweetheart, Shola Ama and fellow Sheffield spitter, Deep Green.

The soft instrumental bed radiates a warm and deeper edge to COCO’s sound as he leads his vocals from Shola Ama on the opening hook. From the instrumental, the variance in tone of the three contributing vocals accentuates mystery and empathy, whilst  displaying a raw edge of reality from the rougher vocals of COCO and Deep Green.

The Sheffield emcee’s artistic unpredictability and vision to experiment with different flavours and styles has made for an inspired catalogue of music over the last 18 months, resulting in him hitting the polls as one of the ’15 MC’s Out Of London You Need To Know Today’ via Complex Magazine and being chosen as ‘One To Watch in 2016’ for MixMag by Annie Mac. From the hefty grime remix of Big N Serious with MOBO nominees AJ Tracey and Nadia Rose, through to his recent Jamaican-peppered collaboration with Protoje, (making him the first UK act to collaborate with one of the biggest reggae stars across a grime beat), COCO has taken a fearful and inspiring route to releasing music in 2016; making the music speak for itself.

Finishing what has been a defining year for the Sheffield native, which has seen him perform at Glastonbury on the BBC Introducing stage, alongside Stormzy at Ibiza Rocks, Red Bull’s Manchester Carnival, Notting Hill Carnival, Bestival and the Royal Albert Hall for Jamie Cullum’s BBC Proms, this promising upriser gives an idyllic and retrospective send off to the year with Waters Run Deep – check out the video.

Song of the Day: Platinum & Gold – Basheba

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After experimenting in the studio with the hotly tipped producer, XVR BLCK, BASHEBA returns with new material inspired by the sounds of 90s RnB and contemporary bass. The sublime Platinum & Gold, is the first release taken off her latest E.P Axiom Part 2, out now.

Known for combining breakbeat and jungle rhythm in her previous work, Platinum & Gold marks an evolution in sound for the young artist. Her lyrics come straight from the heart and the dark soulful vocal delivery always stands out in her music, and it’s this, which she has been able to translate effortlessly to other areas, such as alt pop and R&B with the project.

BASHEBA‘s last track Don’t Go, garnered support across the board from tastemakers at 1Xtra, BBC Introducing and 6music and online by SBTV, Complex, 405, Fred Perry and MOBO Unsung and her latest project is another example of why she is one to watch – check it out!

New Track: Figure It Out – Native People

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UK talent NATIVE PEOPLE show off their evolved sound in new single Figure It Out, released late last month.

Produced by Huw Stephens-approved collective The Citrus Clouds and Oz Craggs, the new track retains the band’s core essence whilst showcasing their versatility as they explore a new direction for their sound. The focus leans towards the marriage of 90s R&B, downtempo funk and sleek contemporary pop, reminiscent of Honne and Shura.

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2016 has been a big year for the Kent-based quartet, with their summer single Call Me breaking into the top 10 on Spotify’s UK Viral Chart and being labeled “the sound of summer” by BBC Introducing’s Abbie McCarthey. In the past few months alone they have toured in Germany and Holland, played a plethora of festivals and headlined Club NME at the prestigious KOKO. This November the young band will embark on their first headline tour, stopping off at Bristol, Manchester, Brighton, Birmingham, Newcastle and London.

NATIVE PEOPLE gained recognition for their pressing indie rhythms, beautiful guitar riffs and thoughtful vocals, now with the release of Figure It Out  and their inaugural UK headline tour in November, these upcomers will be bringing their 80’s inspired indie electronica and mature pop to the next level.

Have a listen to their latest effort – if you like what you hear, it’s worth checking out the tour dates:

04/11 Bristol – The Louisiana
14/11 Manchester – Fallow Cafe
15/11 Brighton – Komedia Studio
17/11 Birmingham – Sunflower Lounge
18/11 Newcastle – Jumpin’ Jacks
19/11 London – The Courtyard

 

 

 

Upcoming Release: Satellite – I AM WILLOW

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Having gained support from BBC Introducing, Q Magazine, and Time Out (Top 5 Rising Stars of 2015) over the past 12 months, London-based and classically trained singer-songwriter I.AM.WILLOW is all to set release for her highly anticipated single Satellite on 16th December.

In the almost four-minute production, the Malta-born musician utilises a cinematic-pop explosion of influences from Kate Bush and Tori Amos, highlighted by the contrasting subtlety and power of her vocals, melodic arrangements and evocative lyricism.

In 2009 I.AM. WILLOW was nominated and won ‘Best Songwriter’ and ‘Best Female Artist’ at the Malta Music Awards, prompting her decision to move to England. The opportunities followed; from recording sessions with Grammy Award winning producer Steve Orchard, to appearances at festivals and venues such as Jazz Café, Bush Hall, The Royal Festival Hall and The Great Escape. She signed her first publishing deal with Fairwood Music, in 2013.

Over the past year, Willow has scored two No.1 album cuts in Spain (Ghost Town by Auryn and Head For The Stars by Sweet California), No.5 in South Africa (Elizma Theron), features with two of the biggest selling recording artists in Japan and China (Koda Kumi and China Lin Kailun respectively) and several song placements used in film trailers in the UK, US, Canada, France, Germany and China, including US TV show Chasing Life, and French film Boomerang. WILLOW has also collected some famous fans along the way; legendary singer Annie Lennox offered her free studio time after hearing a private performance, and Sting booked her for his official after party during his Malta tour.

She now turns her focus to releasing new solo material with an EP to follow in 2017. Have a listen to her stunning single.

New Track: For You Now – Shan

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With the success of his debut  EP Waypoint (2013), which generated support from BBC Introducing, London Live and Balcony TV,  London-based singer/songwriter SHAN is set to release his eagerly awaited  EP Signals on 15th April.

It seems the first release from the EP, For You Now, may continue the deserved attention from major tastemakers and fans.The four-minute production introduces the pure yet beautifully raw arrangements of the piano and guitar, leading to the  newcomer’s soothingly tranquil vocals.

Hailing from Shropshire, SHAN began making music from the age of 12 and has since proved his musical talent through working with a number of other ones-to-watch across a variety of genres; writing and recording with Matt Woods for his debut EP Wash Me Clean, and grime artist Ghetts for his MOBO-nominated debut album Rebel With A Cause.

Now with his own direction and sound, he is paving a solo career with his style of alternative music as a one-to-watch.

Here’s the chance to experience something truly magical; have a listen to For You Now.