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



Karmacoda Shares Alluring Single, ‘Dare’ Ahead Of Album, ‘Lessons In Time.’

Elegant USA-based band KARMACODA shared their song ‘Dare’, which is taken from their latest album, Lessons In Time, via Sola Musa Music.

In the spirit of love, Karmacoda’s impassioned songstress Jessica Ford makes her desire known in the single, as she risks it all and takes the leap. Jazz-inspired instruments entice, while each word teases, calling a lover to action. Jessica brings the track together with her seductive vocals, making its final destination a sweet embrace.

Discussing the LP, the band’s on vocals and producer, Brett Crockett (aka B) says: “We began writing Lesson in Time immediately after the completion of the album before it (Slow Down, Melt and Catch Fire) which dealt with the uncertainty of the early parts of the pandemic. Lessons in Time is about both looking forward to what the future will be and simultaneously looking back at what we once had, what we loved, and what we lost. Themes of time and flying and the need for emotional personal connections emerged, unconsciously, but they were obvious once the album was done.”

Having been placed in several film and TV scores, the three-piece band has won several awards including the Hermes Creative Awards (Platinum) for the ‘Lo-Fi Girl’ video and ‘Make Me The One’ video which also earned one Unglued Music Video (Gold) and three Davey Awards for Video Entertainment, Best Use of Music and Art Direction (all Silver). Based in San Francisco, USA, KARMACODA is comprised of Jessica Ford (vocals), Brett Crockett (aka B. on vocals and producer) and Japanese-American multi-instrumentalist Eric Matsuno (bass and other unique elements). The trio’s sound has been compared to a unique mix of Paloma Faith, Adele, and Pixie Lott.

‘Dare’ follows their video for ‘Time Flies’ , which clocked up over 12K views since its release last month.

Eclectic Soulful band KARMACODA shares ‘Time Flies’ Video.

At home in the USA, retrospective band KARMACODA shared the official video for their previously released single ‘Time Flies’ via Sola Musa Music. Following the release of their single ‘Time’, the new video is the first to be shared off of their latest album Lessons in Time. It was shot and directed by Gianfranco Bichine and adds to the band’s catalogue of award-winning music videos. This list is not limited to the two Hermes Creative Awards Platinum-winning videos ‘Lo-Fi Girl’ and ‘Make Me The One’ or the music video for ‘Blue’, which won three Davey Awards: Gold for Online Film & Video Music video, Silver for Best Use of Music, and Silver for Craft Best Use of Animation.

Based in San Francisco, USA, KARMACODA is comprised of Jessica Ford (vocals), Brett Crockett (aka B. on vocals and producer) and Japanese-American multi-instrumentalist Eric Matsuno (bass and other unique elements). The trio’s sound has been compared to a unique mix of Paloma Faith, Adele, and Pixie Lott. In the press, the band has earned support from CLASH Magazine, Wonderland Magazine, Notion Magazine, Magnetic Mag, Hotpress, Metal Magazine, Medium, Backseat Mafia, CelebMix, Son Of Marketing, VENTS Magazine, HMWL, EDM Identity, Faze Magazine, and Decoded Mag. On radio, their music has been aired on NPR Music and Irish National radio RTÉ 2XM’s Dan Hegarty.

Like a pebble cast into the waters of time, KARMACODA delves into the past, yearning for what once was. Their latest video, ‘Time Flies’, ripples with waves of vintage black and white film, setting a nostalgic mood. Camera-ready, vocalists Brett and Jessica share a vulnerable moment, contemplating the ephemeral nature of time. Check out the video below…

Song of the Day: Fly By – KARMACODA

Comprising of Jessica Ford (vocals), Brett Crockett (aka B. on vocals and producer) and Japanese-American multi-instrumentalist Eric Matsuno (bass and other unique elements), electronic trio KARMACODA‘s single, ‘Fly By’ is what contemplative dreams are made of as we find ourselves floating along on Jessica’s sophisticated vocals. The sprinkling of sassy lyrics carried along on melodic piano notes lead the way into the impressively deep rhythmic rolling tones while a summery touch brings the single together as each refreshing note lightly lands on the pallet.

Jessica of KARMACODA tells us about the meaning behind ‘Fly By’: “Our latest single is about ending a relationship and washing your hands clean of it, without regret or remorse. Knowing it’s over and cutting the tie with peace in your heart and mind. Putting wings on it and watching it fly off into the universe never to be tested or tried again. It’s over. Without tears, you exhale, smile and release it into the world and “let it go”. You’ve done all you can. You’ve had the break ups, you’ve had the “try agains”, you’ve done the get back togethers. No more. You are ready to set it free and watch it ‘Fly By’.”

The band has also earned several awards including the Hermes Creative Awards (Platinum) for the ‘Lo-Fi Girl’ video and ‘Make Me The One’ video which also earned one Unglued Music Video (Gold) and three Davey Awards for Video Entertainment, Best Use of Music and Art Direction (all Silver).

Have a listen to the magical single below…

Zola Shares Magical Single, ‘Glitter And The Gold’

The San Franciscan rising star, ZOLA‘s first single off her forthcoming EP, ‘Glitter and The Gold’, speaks of the singer/songwriter’s hesitancy to move to Southern California.

“‘Glitter and the Gold’ was written directly after a phone call with someone telling me that if I didn’t move to Los Angeles I would never be successful… “Glitter and the Gold” flooded out of me in less than an hour. I wanted this song to be about how family, community, and knowing yourself are more important than going to any party or signing any deal because the money looks appealing. It’s about knowing who is on your team and making sure they genuinely believe in your authentic self and art. I want to work with people who know me because knowing me is understanding the music I make.” – ZOLA.

Here’s your chance to check out ‘Glitter and The Gold’ below…