EP Review: Intermission Vol.1 – Ricardo Williams

The build-up to the release of RICARDO WILLIAMS‘ EP, ‘Intermissions Vol.1′ has been PHENOMENAL, especially when it comes to the Come Over challenge – one of the singles from the collection – which offers different remixes of the original. More recently, R&B queen Teedra Moses graced her soothing vocals on the afterhours joint.

Now, finally, the big man of UK R&B has graced his presence with the eight track set, released via BBC 1Xtra DJ Ace’s label Recordbox late last month.

After the introduction, a very familiar mist of afterhours sets the tone with Williams’ powerful vocal instrumental effortlessly piercing through the bed of feathery soundscapes, starting with the original version of ‘Come Over’. That misty and airy tones continue on all the way through with tracks, ‘He Ain’t Me’ and ‘All I Need’.

In just a few years, It has been great to witness such a journey where a upcoming homegrown talent, who (in my opinion) exceeded his mission on pushing REAL R&B to the forefront, to flourished into one of the most promising R&B powerhouses to excite, not just his UK hometown, but across the globe.

There’s nothing else left to say, a part from go check-him-out below:

Must Listens: Come Over, He Ain’t Me, All I Need

Song of the Day: Stories – Dan Onkar

Coming off his second EP ‘UnStable’​, North London’s DAN ONKAR has dropped his seamlessy hazy J Dilla-esque track, ‘​Stories’ into today’s hot spot.

The track documents the singer/songwriter’s battles with mental hindrance while simultaneously brags about what he brings to the table and also lessons he has learned in life.

This is a great one to get over your Humpday…check it out below…

New Track: Pretty Little Thing – Will.i.am (ft. FT LADY LESHURR, MS BANKS & LIONESS)

LADY LESHURR, LIONESS and MS. BANKS team up with Black Eyed Peas frontman WILL.I.AM for the fiery, empowering anthem ‘Pretty Little Thing’ that is set to be a soundtrack for young queens throughout the world.

Dripping with confidence, sauce and female pride, ‘Pretty Little Thing’ captures everything that it is to be an independent lady in 2019, from self-love, integrity and fashion to a fiesty go-getter attitude, and the track couldn’t be presented by three more fitting women.

With strong, bold imagery that is set off by bountiful, deep orange highlights to open the video, the whistling melody and catchy, self-vocalled hook, sit upon a deep rumbling bassline making for the snappiest of joints courtesy of WILL.I.AM and producer DJ Ammo. Colours stand as a strong message throughout the video, representing both the individuality of each emcee, and women worldwide, and their solidarity as a group, as hues of orange and pink dominate the storyline, whilst powerful lyricism and performances deliver an empowered and genuine message.

First to step up to the mic is LIONESS who wastes no time in claiming the number as an unapologetic UK offering and delivers her articulate, lyrical verse with sheer tenacity and a knock out performance to camera. Sliding in to grab the mic for verse two is ‘Snack’ barrer MS BANKS who spits her mantra to always remain unashamedly unique, followed by the Birmingham rap queen LADY LESHURR who brings her impeccable lyrical skill, genuine attitude and raw honesty to wrap up proceedings.

Framed with edits and snapshots that make the video feel like it’s straight from a fashion contact sheet, ‘Pretty Little Thing’ is the perfect collaboration of music and fashion brought together by the PrettyLittleThing fashion retailer themselves.

So here’s your chance to check out the video for ‘Pretty Little Thing’ below…

Song of the Day: 25 Remix – Realz (ft. Ghetts, Che Lingo & Geovarn)

Following the release of ’25’ earlier this year, which featured the talented R&B star Geovarn, REALZ enlisted grime heavyweight Ghetts and UK rapper Che Lingo as DJ Target premieres the ’25 Remix’, alongside its release.

Initially making his debut in the grime scene, REALZ is an emcee that has successfully navigated genres to become a seasoned artist unconfined by one particular sound. His energetic and skilful wordplay in grime battles is matched equally by his heartfelt introspective lyricism and smooth vocals on the mellow and hazy instrumental of ’25 Remix’.

With crispy snares and the warm footdrum being seasoned with deep echoing chords, Geovarn’s velvet vocals provide the hypnotic hook. Following the lead from REALZ talking with confidence and maturity, Ghetts and Che Lingo also delve in to their lives, thoughts and struggles with intriguing raw honesty to create this grown and thought provoking joint that draws you in to each individual story.

Check the remix of ’25’ below:

Song of the Day: Dose of Me – Melle Brown (ft. Tiana Major9 & Intalekt)

Following on from lead single ‘Background Noise’ – which has received support from the likes of Toddla T, MistaJam (Jam Hot on BBC Radio 1Xtra), Julie Adenuga & Elton John (Beats 1), BBC Introducing and 6Music – MELLE BROWN is back with her next single from her Intersection EP, stealing today’s hot spot.

Out now on Jamz Supernova (BBC Radio 1Xtra) & label partner Helena Antoniades’ Future Bounce imprint – ‘Dose of Me’ features BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Hot For 2019 artist Tiana Major9 and producer Intalekt (who’s worked with the likes of Jay Prince.)

Melle Brown’s Intersection EP is out now on all download/streaming sites…check out the latest addition from the collection below: