Tag: Inspirational songs

Mike Body’s Album, ‘Man Myth Legend’ Offers Light After Darkness.

With each track possessing his infamous b-line, which becomes progressively heavy, MIKE BODY‘s latest mixtape, ‘Man Myth Legend’, is a collection of his appreciation for the man upstairs for all the good times after coming out of the darkness and stirring him out of trouble.

containing 11 tracks of life experiences that almost everyone encounter in their lifetime, Christian rapper Mike builds up a line-up who add nothing more than pure spice – Nynandra adds her blazing flow to the sombre bass in second track, ‘God Design’. Further down the line, singer Kendell Kelly adds a smooth soulful touch to ‘Promise’ and M.BENNETT adding his gliding flow to the vibrant guitar-led R&B production, ‘By This All I Know.’

Although he shows appreciation for the Most High, Mike Body also shows love to friends and loved-ones who showed nothing but pure love and support throughout his life. In short, Mike Body urges us to do the same through this tight EP…check it out below, plus the blog’s song recommendations below…

Must Listens: Once Upon A Time, God’s Design, Heartbreak, Grove King, Reach 4 the Stars, How Far We Come

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Song of the Day: Latter Days/Greater – Nona Brown

It’s very rare to come across a song that’s a VIBE, which really resonates sonically and lyrically with the soul, but singer/songwriter NONA BROWN perfectly encompasses those qualities in her single, ‘Latter Days/Greater’, out now on various music platforms.

The soothing drive of contemporary soulful jazz arrangements, alongside Nona’s robustly smooth vocal performance (a cross of Ann Nesby of Sounds of Blackness and Patti LaBelle), helps to hone in on the message of the inspirational single which is to: hold on in those dark moments as greater days are coming.

Nona Brown knows all too well what it’s like to be in the depth of despair when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite the terrifying experience, the San Francisco native was determined to fight! ‘Latter Days/Greater’ is a testament to her strength and trust in God during this experience; she’s now an eight year cancer survivor. With the turmoil behind her, Nona is now living life to her full potential and was recently elected as the President of the San Francisco Chapter of the Recording Academy, the first black women to serve in that capacity.

Spanning over 25 years, Nona’s music career includes some amazing accomplishments as an arranger and background vocalist on the GRAMMY Award winning Best Children’s Album, ‘A Colorful World’ by Falu and 2022 Telly Award Winner for her ‘Black Lives Matter’ music video co-written with Tony Saunders. Along with her fruitful solo career, Nona is also a member of the jazz trio Brown, Sturgis & Brown.

Nona recorded her first single, ‘I’ll Sing My Song’ back in 1997. In 2019, after writing music for years, she emerged with her Billboard Gospel-charting sophomore release, ‘Songs from my Journal Volume 1’, ranking #14 and #21 in weeks one and two.

She now follows up in 2022 with the project ‘Songs from my Journal Volume 2’ with ‘Latter Days/Greater’ as the lead single, which is a massive favourite with her fan base. The instrumental version of ‘Latter Days/Greater’ features the amazing sound of saxophonist Kevin Moore and has gained the attention of jazz stations around the globe.

Before you head out, have a listen to the stunning single below.

Connect with Nona Brown via:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/nonalisabrown
T: https://twitter.com/NonaLisaBrown
IG: https://www.instagram.com/officialnonalisabrown/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nonabrown266



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Pollena Offers Optimism In Dark Times With EP, ‘Rising.’

Following earlier tips from the likes of BBC 6 Music, Line of Best Fit, Notion, Radio 1/1Xtra, Under the Radar, Beats Per Minute, Earmilk – to name a few – London-based artist formerly of neo-soul outfit Girlhood – POLLENA returns with her debut EP ‘Rising’ on Team Talk Records.

Pollena isn’t afraid to tackle a darker world in her debut EP, finding power in the fight for a better life. ‘Rising’ stands out by giving us a reason for optimism even – especially – in challenging times. Featuring raw and honest themes delivered with Pollena’s signature rich, smooth vocals, the EP blends genres, from neo soul to house, electronica and RnB, in an accomplished celebration of individuality, resilience and vulnerability and a call for hope.

Co-written and co-produced with Barney Whittaker aka Footshooter, following the success of their previous collaboration ‘Stand Up’, ‘Rising’ reveals a fresh and rejuvenated sound for Pollena that melds together elements of neo-soul, house and RnB.

The leading ‘Black Holes’ is an exploration of spacey synths, glowing keys, and commanding bass lines accompanied by powerful yet ethereal vocals. “I’m searching for a way out of the darkness, trying to hold on to a glimpse of light through connection. ‘Black Holes’ speaks to our innate desire to feel whole and an understanding that good times shared together are the answer.” Pollena.

The following ‘Diamonds’ is a glowing house and UK garage-inspired bop with a powerful message. “I’m sick of society pressuring us into lives we don’t want. We blindly follow the paths set out for us and do what’s expected, we simply don’t have to. I want ‘Diamonds’ to encourage listeners to fight for a better life.” Pollena

‘Lemons’, the first release prior to the EP’s launch, reveals waves of sun-kissed harmonies accompanying glowing jazz keys and a rich, Latin-inspired rhythm to create a summer vibe full of hope and optimism. “I want to celebrate living a life that feels true to me and inspire others to do the same. ‘Lemons’ is all about slowing down and connecting with what makes you happy.” Pollena

Rounding up the EP is the hazy, lo-fi ‘Bask In Blue’. A mellow R&B beat blends warm, soulful harmonies with balmy keys. “Bask in Blue tells a story of letting uncomfortable feelings in and embracing sadness whilst holding onto the hope that things can change.” Pollena

So if you’re suffering from the January blues, I reckon this mini EP will offer up some comfort. Have a listen below…

Must Listens: Black Holes, Lemons

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Song of the Day: Sunshine – Micah Willis

MICAH WILLIS is a rising pop singer with old soul sensibility when it comes to instrumentation and production, this would seem natural as Micah is the son of blues great Kenny Neal. His single, ‘Sunshine’, which comes off the upcoming mixtape, ‘Who The Hell Is Micah Willis,’ was recorded in Baton Rouge with Kennys band brings a gospel-like emotive and inspirational lyrics sung with powerful female backing vocals strengthen the belting delivery of Micah over an organ’s swirl, glittering with the guitar of Kenny Neal.

‘Sunshine’ came into existence after Micah felt a wave of hope on a plane ride home from a successful gig in Orlando. He says this is the fastest a song has ever come together for him. The reason that wave of hope lead to such a powerful single is Micah suffers from anxiety and depression and like a lot of us it has been more challenging in recent years.

The more he shared the outline of the song, the more people were quick to jump on board – first producer Chance Clift, then Christian Lucy on keys. Micah then sent it to his father Kenny Neal who on hearing it wanted to bring his full band in. Micah realising the connection this song was making brought in some amazing vocalists Mimi Knowles and Raven Flowers to fill out the sonic hug.

Micah says of creating the single: “I haven’t ever experienced creating a song the way we created this. I feel like there was so much love in every session we did with this song, and that is what this song is all about. Love, hope, and happiness.”

Have a listen to ‘Sunshine’ below…

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Song of the Day: Essence – Coops

Produced by Greatness Jones, ‘Essence’ is an inspiring cut of positivity from the talented North London rapper, COOPS, ruminating about life across trademark boom-bap drums and a rolling bass line. Essence is taken from Coops’ new album, ‘Lost Soul 2’ – released last Friday (23rd September) via Lost Soul Records.

‘Lost Soul 2’, the seventh full length release from the prodigious talent, was recorded at Coops’ studio in Hackney and serves as the sequel to his seminal Lost Soul mixtape, which still commands huge admiration nearly a decade since its release and is widely seen as a cult UK hip-hip classic. The new album sees a welcome return to the creative partnership with producer Talos that flourished on ‘Lost Soul’.

In support of the new album, Coops has announced details of his debut UK headline tour. The ‘Lost Soul’ tour will see Coops on the road in October and November with a special hometown show at London’s XOYO on Friday 4th November. Full dates can be found below while tickets are on sale now here: https://diplomatsofsound.org/coops-lost-soul-tour-2022/.

While the original reflected the uncertainty in his teenage years, ‘Lost Soul 2’ explores the navigation of adult life against the backdrop of the precariousness of the world in 2022. It’s a tale of progression and growth: Coops’ emotional capacity has matured, as has the soulful melodies he is crafting. It demonstrates evolution without compromising the important message in his music. 

‘Lost Soul 2’ is Coops at his truest, purest, and most effortless and, having flown under the radar for far too long, is set to cement his status as one of the UK’s foremost lyricists. Check out the video for ‘Essence’ below…

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