Read below for our round-up of other June releases/performances!
Indira May – ‘Red Gold and Sapphire’
The bluesy, Brighton-based vocalist Indira May has recently been brought to my attention. A new artist on the scene, May released her first single from her forthcoming debut EP last April: the moody, almost psychedelic ‘Strange’. While I find May’s diction somewhat affected and occasionally unclear, she has obvious talent and her material incorporates her jazz and blues influences with a freshness and youthful imagination. Her latest single – ‘Red, Gold and Sapphire’ –  has an entrancing arrangement with woozy guitar strings, with May revelling in the intoxicating effects of love and infatuation. She is an artist to keep an eye on. Check out her Soundcloud here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxzf6URttrg
Anita Baker Tribute at 18th BET Awards
At the 18th BET Awards last Sunday (24th June), soul music icon Anita Baker was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Paying tribute to Ms Baker were Jamie Foxx, Ledisi, Marsha Ambrosius, and gospel tour-de-force Yolanda Adams. Though a wonderful tribute with warm, soulful vocals, Adams stood out for her blistering rendition of ‘You Bring Me Joy’.
You can watch the full tribute here.
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Billy Price – Reckoning
American soul-blues veteran Billy Price has released his 16th studio album. And it is a rollicking fun. Opening track ’39 Steps’ has all guns blazing as Price sings of escaping a ‘living hell’ of a marriage. With slightly weathered yet strong vocals, Price serves almost copious amounts of old-school rock ‘n’ roll and blues.
(Image copyright: Strange Films and Music, Leon Bennett/Getty, VizzTone)