After more than seven years, D’Z and two-time Grammy Nominee Sandra St. Victor have teamed up for the remake of George Michael’s hit song ‘FREEDOM’ to create a funky party vibe with a new arrangement featuring tight horns, a groovy rhythm section, and the soulful voice of Sandra St. Victor.
Sandra, known for her work with Prince, Curtis Mayfield, Paula Abdul, Nile Rodgers, and being part of soul/funk trio The Family Stand, was immediately drawn to the re-imagined version of ‘FREEDOM’ and gladly lent her voice to the song.
d’Z – real name Hans-Peter de Zeeuw – is a Dutch drummer, composer, songwriter, and producer who frequently collaborates with international artists, including Katie Léone, former singer of the band Incognito, and has won several music awards.
The remake of ‘FREEDOM’ is now out on all streaming platforms. Have a listen below…
Singer, songwriter, rapper and producer JESSICA WILDE has released her highly anticipated, soul touching, empowering and thought- provoking sophomore album ‘Teach Me How To Love’, with the amazing Afronaut Zu featuring on the title track.
Wilde fully utilizes her authentic expression through this powerful and truly unique body of work, where she bares her vulnerability on a personal journey of deep inner healing and an exploration of love for self, others, life and God. Authentically expressed though her soul searing, raw, raspy and heart hitting singing which Jess fuses with her sharp-witted rap & spoken word with undeniable South London grit.
Wilde, now four years sober, has openly shared her experience, from her debut project (2023) where each of the songs were like confessional diary entries, laying out brutally honest lyrics in her unique and original Wilde way, taking us on a ride of life through addiction, toxic relationships, escapism to a place of self-empowerment, self-love and living sober.
Wilde’s new album ‘Teach Me How To Love’ reflects all the inner work she has committed to that has brought her out of the darkest times of her life. Wilde has ventured on a spiritual path which took her on a transformational solo adventure from the concrete jungle to the Amazon Jungle and which gave the seeds of inspiration for this new chapter of her musical expression to take fruit.
In her recent interview with Carrie and David Grant on BBC Radio London she said: “The phase now is really feeling a lot more self-love, love for life and really wanting to uplift people with my music and spread the frequency of love”.
The new album project features some of Wilde’s close friends and incredible artists in their own right Josh Barry (Nile Rodgers, Gorgon City), Zoe Kyrpi (Black Coffee, David Lazarus), James Newman (writer of Rudimental’s Brit award winning song ‘Waiting All Night’ with Ella Eyre) and Afronaut Zu who’s raw and husky vocals are heard on the title track ‘Teach Me How To Love’. Zu is also a part of Steam Down Jazz collective and Rudimental. Wilde not only penned the tunes of the album but also co-produced it with producer and right hand man Tom Maine (Wu-lu, Ego Ella May).
Having released five singles in the lead up to the full album drop, Wilde has gained an immense amount of loyal and continuing support across BBC Radio from taste maker DJ’s, including Radio 1’s ‘Future Artists’ with Jack Saunders, Jess Iszatt on both Radio 1 and BBC Introducing, BBC 6 Music, Multiple BBC Radio London shows, including a recent in studio live performance and interview with Carrie and David Grant. She has also gained support from John Kennedy on Radio X, editorial playlist features across the board with Apple, Spotify, Youtube Music, TIDAL, Amazon and US Radio and streaming platform Pandora, plus also press acclaim from 1883, Clash Magazine, Complex, The Independent, Wonderland, The Daily Star and many more.
This summer was Jam packed, with Wilde hitting the stages of Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Camp Wild Fire and Soul Town festival where she’s opening the main stage for legends Earth, Wind and Fire. Not only is the festival season popping off, but Wilde is also set to headline Lower Third on 17th July for her album launch show, in collaboration with soul pioneering platform ‘Global Soul’ and Wilde’s very own PxSSY PWR platform.
‘PxSSY PWR’ is a platform Wilde created as a response to the disparity between support for male artists compared to female artists. The residency at Hootananny Brixton has become a hub and major platform for some of the most exciting underground female, non-binary and queer artists, including sold out shows with the likes of Etta Bond, IYAMAH, Zoe Kypri and Tamaraebi to name a few.
Listen to ‘Teach Me How To Love’ below…
Must Listens: Love Like This, FADE, Human, Teach Me How To Love
Vietnamese-German producer QU‘s debut album ‘where did the sun go’ is a 15-track sonic journey featuring notable collaborators including Serious Klein, Josh Kye, Malaya, Jay Prince, and Agajon.
Signed to Kabul Fire Records, founded by acclaimed producer Farhot, qu is set to make a significant impact with his highly anticipated debut album. He expertly crafts his own unique sound that takes listeners on a soulful journey rooted in hip hop, RnB, and jazz, while pushing the boundaries of conventional songwriting and arrangements. His debut album serves as a sonic mood board, introducing him as an artist first.
The 25-year-old’s path to producing and songwriting began with his training in classical guitar, which explains his affinity for organic instrumentation in his production, distinguishing him from typical beatmakers. qu’s artistic maturity on this debut project suggests a lifetime dedicated to music, though his journey has been anything but straightforward. Like many creative individuals from immigrant families, qu had to compromise, forgoing academic education for a music career and working at a Vietnamese restaurant to sustain his studio time. His album reflects years of tough decisions, dedication, and navigating the uncertainty of choosing music over traditional career paths, all while grappling with perfectionism and ambition
The album title ‘where did the sun go?’ encapsulates the multi-layered struggles of creating music in times where art is often a privilege. Despite moments of doubt and exhaustion, the music itself offers an answer: the cyclical nature of the sun’s presence and absence can produce meaningful art. Have a listen below…
British-Spanish singer-songwriter ALBA‘s debut EP, ‘Questions Unanswered’, is a conceptual collection that goes on a journey of introspection and self-discovery, while delivering ALBA’s signature blend of guitar-driven pop-rock infused with sunlit soul and R&B. From to the inward-looking musings of ‘Am I enough?’ to the empowering feminist anthem in ‘Are you really free?’, the EP explores topics such as love, authenticity, self-liberation, societal expectations, and the search for meaning.
The EP has been produced by ALBA and rising star edbl, and recorded at Europe’s first solar-powered studio “The Premises”, with a special contribution from the London African Gospel Choir.
To celebrate the release of ‘Questions Unanswered’ ALBA will be having an EP Launch Party at The Old Blue Last in London, UK on 13th July. Get your tickets here.
‘Questions Unanswered’, out now for your pleasure across various music platforms. In addition to the digital release, ALBA has shared an exclusive limited vinyl edition of 100 numbered copies – so grab a copy while you have the chance!
Paris-based, Estonian soul artist KATRIN-MERILI announces her debut EP ‘Beautiful Things’ with her new single ‘Hold My Body’, which is out today (20th June). She captures the soulful energy of Yebba, Sade and Cleo Sol, weaving her vocal around a future-facing instrumental to create a distinctive brand of Nordic neo-soul.
‘Hold My Body’ reflects on a long distance relationship, and the power of love to surpass geographical boundaries. Katrin explores the sacrifices that are made when in love, and the hunger for connection and patience needed to see things through. Alt-RnB lyrical flows are balanced with bopping grooves, euphoric synths and a gospel-inflected harmonic flavour, capturing the butterflies in the stomach and thrill of falling in love. Katrin shares: “I started composing this song on a friend’s guitar that was left in my apartment. The chords stuck with me, and gave it so much warmth when I produced the first draft. It took on a life of its own when I played it with my live band, and became the song you can hear today.”
Slated for release in 30th August, ‘Beautiful Things’ is a project consisting of five intimate stories centred around femininity, identity, and mental health, touching upon Katrin’s experience of being split between two countries, and supporting her mother through her battle with breast cancer. Due to the deeply personal subject material, Katrin wanted to be as involved as possible across the project, creating her own visual world to accompany the music, she shares: “I decided to self-produce the EP independently to be able to follow through with my original vision and to make something really personal. I am fully present in all the aspects of the creation, from writing the lyrics to styling, MUA, self-portraits, artworks and collages. Every song is a personal piece of my life and an invite to join me on my journey of self-discovery.”
A rising name in the Parisian soul-jazz crossover scene, Katrin has spent the last eight years in the French capital collaborating and building a name for herself, supporting the likes of Roy Ayres at the revered New Morning jazz club. Her path in Paris led to her meeting co-producer Sacha Arnaud, who was able to help Katrin bring her musical vision to life alongside the vibrant presence of talented French musicians including Noé Berne (Nine Sparks Riot) and Remi Klein (Voyou).
Taken from the ‘Beautiful Things’ EP, set for release on Friday 30th August, ‘Hold My Body’ was released today (20th June) across various music platforms. Why not have a listen below…
New Lease Music 