Life’s a bit shit at the moment isn’t it? Bars closed, theatre and live music cancelled, no pasta in the supermarkets. Here at The House That Soul Built, we’re hoping soul music can lift people’s spirits a bit more. Here’s a round-up of some recent soul music releases which caught our attention!
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Lianne La Havas – ‘Bittersweet’
Trust Lianne La Havas to pop out of relative hiatus and totally enrapture her audience. And trust me: Her recent concert at the Barbican Hall with Jules Buckley and the BBC Symphony Orchestra – to be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in April – will further whet audience appetites for that third album. La Havas closed the concert with her latest single ‘Bittersweet’, released at the end of February. With lush cadences and rich instrumentation, this mid-tempo ballad carries hints of Minnie Riperton and Roberta Flack. ‘Bittersweet summer rain / I’m born again,’ she sings about the twilight of a relationship. La Havas flexes some serious vocal muscle here. As compelling as her soft whisper is, it is refreshing to hear her power through.
Buwa – ‘Eminlo’
Last year, Canadian-Nigerian artist Buwa impressed with the big band feel of his single ‘Want Me’. His latest offering ‘Eminlo’ – meaning ‘I’m leaving’ in the Yoruba language – is a sleeker, anguished affair. Buwa says: ‘This track talks about having the strength to finally leave an abusive and toxic relationship. You know it is very hard but you still can’t find the strength to leave”. Buwa serves up an emotional delivery, and the saxophone on the track is a very smooth.
Sharky – ‘Shade’
‘Avant soul’ vocalist Sharky attracted a fair bit of interest from the underground music press with her debut EP Fruit. Teaming up again with producer duo Speakman Sound, her sophomore EP Love and Ownership is due for an April release. ‘[The EP] has again been an exciting collaborative experience. I was excited to take the experimental elements from “Fruit” and continue a process of refinement. More and more I am enjoying contrasting my writing between tunes to make you dance and more introspective songs.’ Her first single ‘Shade’ ponders how passing some moments in life can be. The twinkly intro is suddenly interrupted by some stomping, funky bass, with 80’s synth-pop touches. Skillfully mixed by Guy Speakman, each element of the piece meshes to create a slightly trippy, psychedlic soundscape. Sharky’s high-pitched, almost childlike vocals sit on top.
Roachford with Beverley Knight – ‘What We Had’
Andrew Roachford joins forces with Beverley Knight (who covered Roachford’s ‘Cuddly Toy’ on her Soul UK album) on this very adult ballad. It’s a fairly run-of-the-mill slice of soulful melancholy with nice chord progressions going into the chorus. Both Roachford and Knight are in good voice.
Image Attributions:
Lianne La Havas, ‘Bittersweet’ – Warner Records
Buwa, ‘Eminlo’ – Buwa
Sharky, ‘Shade’ – ETLW Records
Roachford with Beverley Knight, What We Had’ – BMG
