Bain And The Foreign Exchange’s Nicolay Team For Third Single ‘Here To Stay’

Minnesota-based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist BAIN is the latest addition to the growing roster of +FE Music, the label founded and run by Phonte and Dutch producer Nicolay (also known as the Grammy-nominated soul duo The Foreign Exchange). With two full-length albums already under his belt with producer Afrokeys (2014’s Love In Blue and 2019’s Around The Sun), Bain teams with Nicolay for his third full-length album Lifetime, due out later this year. The pair shared the forthcoming album’s new single ‘Here To Stay’, available on all digital streaming platforms via +FE Music/EMPIRE.

“‘Here To Stay’ was created when I packed up the key elements of my home studio and embarked on a sojourn to a remote cabin on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. I have always found this great lake to be an endless source of inspiration. After spending a few days alone in the woods, I came away with three songs I was content with. ‘Here To Stay’ was the upbeat, electronic-based, universal love song of the bunch. The tracks were then sent to Nicolay who added his instrumentation and fully produced and mixed the song. Over the driving bass line, blends of organic guitars, and dreamy synthesizers, I sing of a bright and clear message that love is here to stay.” – Bain

As a fourth-generation singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, music is literally embedded in Davis Bain’s DNA. Like his forefathers, Davis has harbored a passion for stringed instruments since his youth. He quickly fell in love with the electric guitar in particular, and enjoyed playing R&B, funk and gospel music in various bands performing in the Minneapolis area.

Davis set his sights on becoming a recording artist after discovering the albums that his estranged father would record and release from his farmhouse studio. From that moment forward, he has focused on writing, performing and producing his own songs.

Together with his long time friend, music producer Afrokeys, Davis has co-produced and released two full-length albums under the moniker “Bain”: 2014’s Love In Blue and 2019’s Around The Sun. For his upcoming third full-length album, he has linked up with Grammy nominated music producer Nicolay, best known as one half of independent soul duo and label-operators The Foreign Exchange. As the lead single and title track, ‘Lifetime’, illustrates, Davis Bain is fully leaning into the artistry that seems to have been bestowed upon him at birth. Have a listen below…

OUT TODAY: Listen to Sy Smith’s Album, ‘Until We Meet Again.’

It’s been nearly six years since SY SMITH‘s acclaimed album, ‘Sometimes A Rose Will Grow In Concrete’. After guesting on Zo! and Tall Black Guy’s ‘The Ride’ for their excellent 2021 album Abstractions, the multi-talented, Emmy-nominated singer/songwriter and actress reunites with her frequent collaborators for her new album ‘Until We Meet Again’, released today (26th January) on all DSPs via +FE Music/EMPIRE. Produced entirely by Zo! and Tall Black Guy, and executive produced by The Foreign Exchange frontman and Little Brother co-founder Phonte, the album features the sensual lead single ‘Slide’ and serves as Smith’s long-awaited full-length +FE Music debut. Guest appearances include world renowned singer/drummer Sheila E, trumpeter Chris Botti, and more.

“You ever pick up an old photo album that you haven’t seen in many years and look through it? And all the memories of each photo come flooding back as if those pictures were just taken yesterday? That’s what “Until We Meet Again” feels like. It’s a sonic reverie down memory lane – making stops at every single emotion that comes with reminiscing.” – Sy Smith

Sy Smith is set to hit the road in March and April for her Until We Meet Again headlining tour. Dates and more info are available here. For now, have a listen to the breathtaking album…

Must Listens: Photograph, Slide, Summer of ’93, All The Ways,

Song of the Day: I’m Hot – The Hoodies

Viral Rap sensations The HOODIES released their EP What Pressure Makes in March of this year. The six-track project served as a prelude to the duo’s forthcoming full-length album Hidden Gems, produced entirely by the legendary Kid Capri.

Now brothers E-Class and Young Poppa tease the album with its lead single ‘I’m Hot’, now available on all digital streaming platforms and stores via Asti Love/EMPIRE. The song showcases the young Upstate New York natives’ impressive wordplay, sharp flows and unrivaled ferocity over Capri’s hard-hitting production and DJ scratches.

“Our new record ‘I’m Hot’ was inspired by the golden era of hip-hop. It’s 50th anniversary of hip-hop so why wouldn’t we bring back that nostalgic boom bap feel? The creation process was incredible. Kid Capri threw some mixes and scratches right there on the spot to compliment the beat, while Pop and I delivered with the witty, punchline, metaphor heavy lyrics. ‘Hidden Gems’ will be the album to restore that classic hip-hop feel back to culture. Real concepts, real lyrics, real life.” – E-Class

Why not have a listen below…

Song of the Day: Smoke Castles – Amy Steele

With sultry vocals and a distinctive tone, London based Singer Songwriter AMY STEELE presents her latest single, ‘Smoke Castles’, a mix Kate Bush and Sade with alternative tapestries of soul.

‘Smoke Castles’ is about the distance created between two people when the foundations they built, were not strong enough to sustain the weight of the relationship. It’s about a lack of clarity in communication, and the discomfort of uncertainty that brings. As Amy sings out: ‘Speaking smoke, you’re so unclear, white ribbons have tied up the air.’

With Amy recently signing a deal with EMPIRE, this is set to be an exciting new chapter for the young starlet. Have a listen to her below…