Recommended: Vrillon, Lady Leshurr, Young T & Bugsey, The Streets, Ernie Hawks & The Soul Investigators
In Recommended today: alt-rocker Vrillon are calling out for an elusive lover, Lady Leshurr salutes Black Panther, The Streets is caught between relationship wants and needs, Nottingham duo Young T & Bugsey are breaking out the bubbly for a pre-pre-carnival party, and Ernie Hawks & The Soul Investigators come through with fresh old-school soul.
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‘Find You’ by Vrillon
Don’t let their band photos fool you. Vrillon, from Bath, have a soft side underneath their gritty exterior. ‘Find You’ is a melodic call to an elusive lover, akin to the alt-rock of Stereophonics or Wolf Alice. It’s easy on the ears. Look out for group’s debut EP, which is set for release later this year.
‘Black Panther’ by Lady Leshurr
Lady Leshurr is becoming increasingly prolific, and she’s keeping the quality strong as she does so. For her third freestyle of 2018, she paid tribute to comic book blockbuster, Black Panther, and Missy Elliot with her own, glorious celebration of blackness – patois on point, African face make-up and all. Lady Leshurr’s first full-length album is due later this year. Wakanda forever!
‘Greenlight’ by Young T & Bugsey
British rappers Young T & Bugsey, both from Nottingham, head straight for the club’s VIP section with their song ‘Greenlight’. It’s brazen hook and bubbly, calypso production keep the mood loose.
‘You Are Not the Voice in Your Head’ by The Streets
Mike Skinner, aka The Streets, recently shared ‘You Are Not the Voice in Your Head’, his latest single to be released ahead of his sold-out tour, The Darker the Shadow the Brighter the Light. Never one to shy away from sensitive emotions, Skinner’s latest is a mature commentary on male-female relations.
‘Message of Love’ by Ernie Hawks & The Soul Investigators
Flute players aren’t known for being frontmen. But Helsinki flute player Ernie Hawks has chutzpah and hooks aplenty. Together with fellow Finnish musicians, The Soul Investigators – who have worked with some of our favourite contemporary soul artists, Nicole Willis and Myron & E – he’s cooked up a glorious, breezy soul groove for summertime. Between its doo-wop harmonies and its flute hook (think of the melodies in ‘The Bottle’ by Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson) ‘Message of Love’ is essential for lovers of rare grooves and classic soul. If you enjoy this, check out Scorpio Man, the first full-length LP from the group.
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Image: courtesy of Vrillon