OUT TODAY: Raphael Tate Returns With Soulful Single ‘Gotta Hold On’ From Album Love, Grieve and Live

Following his appearance on ITV’s Starstruck, where he impersonated the Godfather of Soul James Brown earlier in this year (2023), RAPHAEL TATE – known fondly as the Prince of Soul by his fans – is back in the spotlight with album, ‘Love, Grieve Live’ out today (18th August) via his label, Tate Love Productions.

The nine track album includes previously released singles – the orchestral-led ballad, ‘Lord I Need You Near’ (featuring acclaimed jazz musician JeffMajors), which received a seal of approval from BBC Radio Derby’s Pam Sidhu; ‘Here Without You’, supported by BBC Radio Stoke plus radio stations around the globe, and Reprezent Radio favourite, ‘Everyday Is Mother’s Day’.

‘Love Grieve and Live’ album mirrors the cycle of losing a dear one: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Raphael knows all too well what it’s like to be on the turbulent journey: in 2020, his mother unexpectedly passed away and understandably Raphael went through a rollercoaster of emotions.

Alongside the release of the album, Raphael also shares fifth track, ‘Gotta Hold On’, which arguably acts as an anchor of survival to the cycle of grief. With esteemed jazz/soul musician Mark A. Walker providing guitar riffs which adds an edge of funk to the soulful piece, ‘Gotta Hold On’ serves as the perfect platform for Raphael’s heartfelt powerhouse vocals to deliver an inspirational and powerful message of losing someone: it’s OK not to be OK, as those dark moments are in actual fact a fundamental part of the healing process.

Since impressing judges Adam Lambert, Beverley Knight, Rowland Keating and Jason Mansford with his slick moves as James Brown on ITV’s StarStruck, Washington DC-born Raphael has recently become a member of The Recording Academy/Grammy Awards Class of 2023 (Washington DC Chapter). With back-to-back performance across The Midlands – where he now calls home – and across the UK, Raphael manages to find the time to offer some healing with his new heartfelt album and single ‘Gotta Hold On’, both out now across various music platforms.

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Song of the Day: Heaven Hear Me Above – muva of Earth

A spiritual soul inspired by nature, life and her experience living as an Afrikan woman, listening to MUVA OF EARTH is like planting your feet in rich warm soil; blending spiritual mantras and conscious lyricism, her music fusing afro-futurism, jazz, classical and more is truly transformative.

muva of Earth returns to announce her forthcoming debut project align with Nature’s Intelligence out 15th September via Brownswood Recordings and shares the gorgeous first single ‘heaven hear me above’. A soft and celestial spell lush with playful keys, delicate sparkling chimes and the harp expertly played by muva, this single explores her deep appreciation of being a unique and divine being. A meditative project centred around vulnerability, healing and an evolved way of thinking, on the forthcoming project across eight-tracks (also known as affirmations and chants) muva of Earth encourages empowerment and self expression.

Born as Davina Adeosun-Bright (Davina, which originates from the word ‘divinity’, Adeosun pronounced A – de – o – shu is yoruba tongue and means ‘Crown of Ọṣun’ which is a dedication to the orisha and goddess of the river, Ọṣun), muva of Earth was raised by Nigerian parents to be strong and independent. Making an impact early in her career, her live experience has already led her to open for Erykah Badu and Pink Siifu , as well as previous headline shows and plays at We Out Here, SuperSonicJazz , Cross The Tracks, XJazz! Festival and more. Previous singles including last year’s ‘High’ have garnered support from The Guardian, COLORS, Clash, Loud and Quiet, Hunger, Rinse, Notion, BBC 6Music, BBC Radio 1, NTS and more. Have a listen to the enchanting ‘heaven hear me above’ below…

Song of the Day: Love Like No Tomorrow – The Jeff Adams Experience

Released via MiParis Music label, THE JEFF ADAMS EXPERIENCE provides a smooth jazz instrumental titled ‘Love Like Tomorrow’, a perfect ode to cherish the time with close friends and loved ones, as tomorrow is never promised.

Leading the way with the smooth delicate flow of the piano keys, multi-instrumentalist Jeff Adams is joined by a team of award-winning musicians who has worked with some of the biggest and reputable names in the music industry, which features Stellar- awarding guitarist Alvin White (Patti Labelle, Ledis, Lalah Hathaway), international/ most sought after saxophonist Carl Cox, (Smokey Robinson, Maysa Leak, Gerald Veasley and Incognito), Drummer Gorden Campbell (Beyonce, Jessica Simpson and Ne-Yo) and Bassist Mark A. Walker (Will Downing, Maysa, Yolanda Adams).

‘Love Like Tomorrow’ was written and produced by MiParis label owner and executive producer Michael Upshaw, with Jeff Adams as co-producer and writer.

The single forms part of ‘MiParis Smooth Jazz Compilation Vol.1’, which is out now on all music platforms. The seven-track project includes Mark A. Walker’s highly received singles, ‘Duke’s Stroll’ and ‘Let Me Breathe’. Featuring awarding-trumpeter/arranger Phil Lassiter, ‘Duke’s Stroll spent four consecutive weeks at number one on UK’s CHBN radio playlists as well as receiving firm radio support across the UK. The soothing vibes of ‘Let Me Breathe’ was on constant rotation on radio stations across the globe.

Coming from a family of musicians, it comes to no surprise that Jeff Adams’ passion for music came at an early age. As a child, he would create an instrument from any object he could find! This led Jeff Adams receiving a set of bongos as a present at the age of just four.

Just like any other creditable artist in the US, Jeff Adams musical journey started at his local church, where he learned to play the piano, drums and bass guitar. Jeff’s passion for music ventured outside of the church walls and into the recording arena as an engineer and producer, live sound engineer, and professional musician.

Although he broaden his horizons outside the church, Jeff’s love and support for God and his church did not stray away for long. He currently serves as Music/Band Director at Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church in Washington, DC, where he had the opportunity to work many artists including: the late Darryl Coley, the late Walter Hawkins, Fantasia Barrino, Lisa Page Brooks, Vickie Winans, Marvin Sapp, the late LaShun Pace, James Hall, Jessica Reedy, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Karen ClarkSheard, Twinkie Clark, Sherri Jones-Moffet, Beverly Crawford, VaShawn Mitchell, Donnie McClurkin and Shirley Caesar.

The Jeff Adam’s Experience’s single ‘Love Like Tomorrow’ is available now across all music platforms.

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Song of the Day: Lonely Again – JVSTN

New York-based pop artist JVSTN.’s latest single ‘Lonely Again’, possesses an upbeat electro pop sound, documenting the joys of being single again after a rough breakup. Since the successful release of his first two original songs last year – ‘Lost & Found’ and ‘Dancing with the Enemy’ (which claimed the blog’s Song of the Month title in February 2022) – JVSTN. has been working on new projects and can’t wait to add to his collection with this pop bop.

JVSTN says of his latest offering, “This song started years ago when my barber pointed out how he liked the Weeknd’s use of disco samples. Playing around with some disco sounds and sending ideas back and forth with my writing partner Charlie Aldrich, we landed somewhere really special. The song is about the excitement and relief of being single after a recent breakup and reclaiming your autonomy. Dancing between bitter grudges and blissful indifference, we can all now sing along about how happy we are to be ‘lonely again’.”

Have a listen to ‘Lonely Again’ below…

Song of the Day: Draco Malfoy Freestyle – Junior NRB

Written and recorded on the spur of the moment after discovering the beat online, JUNIOR NRB‘s single ‘Draco Malfoy Freestyle’, showcases the rapper’s prowess in dominating any beat with his signature witty lyricism and fast flow. The track samples children singing in another language, which is pitch-shifted to give an eerie feel before Junior and the bass come in hard.

Junior makes his intentions clear that he’s “Tryna be the greatest there has been / I ain’t tryna end up a has-been”. Describing the process, Junior says “it was about having fun, I wanted to get things out my system before my next project drops which will be more serious”.

The music video for ‘Draco Malfoy Freestyle’ was shot in Sheffield, soon after the Coventry-based rapper moved there to study Fashion. Director GM, who worked with Junior previously, creates a DIY-feel as, like the track, the video was made quickly, being shot in Junior’s home and neighbourhood. When writing the song Junior saw its visuals and brought them to life in the music video, with rapid, energetic shots that match his lyrics. Junior makes his mark on his new hometown in the video, with the final shots being him rapping whilst overlooking Sheffield.

Check out the video for Junior NRB’s ‘Draco Malfoy Freestyle’ below…