Bring Back Soul Music Picks for May and June 2021

H.E.R. new single “Come Through” is a sultry invitation to time together (“You should come through tonight, I’m chilling on the Westside, boo”), backed with laid back guitar and finger pops that provide…a mood.is on quite a run. The extremely talented singer and songwriter has made 2021 her own, beginning with her stunning appearance at the Super Bowl, Grammy wins and a Oscar nod.  Listen to H.E.R. single ‘Come Through‘ now on Spotify

Rob Murat is multifaceted artistry is admired both behind the mic and in front of the camera. An actor/singer originally from Queens, NY, he is currently a recurring guest star on one of Netflix’s most binged series, On My Block, which is currently filming it’s fourth and final season. Rob has made guest appearances on the FOX TV series Bones and has acted opposite Academy Award winner Halle Berry.  Listen to Robert Murat’s new single ‘Runaway’ now on Spotify

Revealing different sides of her songbook, S.E.L journeys across an all inclusive musical soundscape that traverses the crushed out grooves of sweet soul & Live funk beats, all layered with uplifting harmonies and melodies. Leading the charge is the exhilarating new single ‘Melodic Harmony’ synthesising all the different strands into an emotive slice of firefly funk.   Listen to S.E.L.’s single ‘‘Melodic Harmony’ now on Spotify

 

Philly singer-songwriter Nigel Ahmad releases his debut EP, The Return of Saturn, following his 3 singles and debut video for his song “Make Love”. The EP consists of 3 new tracks and 3 previous singles. Two tracks are produced by Ahmad himself, as the EP dives into the emotional reality the singer has faced in the past few years as a black lgbt man.  Listen to Nigel Ahmad’s new single ‘The Return of Saturn’ now on Spotify

“A Guy Like Me” brings together Tofa Jaxx’s first songs, which he wrote between 2016 and 2017. It was the time when he decided to completely dedicate his life to music. In the four songs, Tofa experiments with his extraordinary smokey voice and combines it with a sense of Neo soul harmonies and emotional soul-vocals. The lyrics of the songs are all about a young man from Tanzania, who is burning to set off to new shores.  Listen to Tofa Jaxx’s latest single ‘A Guy Like Me’ now on Spotify

“Flashligthts” marks the return of Joshua Ledet to the music world and the space that he calls home, the stage. Known for his soaring, church-bred brand of old school soul music, Joshua is ready to introduce fans to a new chapter of his musical journey. “The inspiration behind Flashlights would be the relationship between my mother and father.   Listen to Joshua Ledet’s latest single ‘Flashlights’ now on Bandcamp

Stokley ‘s new mix “Lvrs Quarrel Mix” turns the original on its ear, giving it a muscular new slow groove that moves it from the dance club to a light night, soulful encounter. And Stokley performs it like his life depends on it. It is an entirely new song, and a wonderful contrast. Often when a recent hit gets a remix, it is either a dancified take on the original, or a simple tricking out that uses the original vocals but put them in a slightly different context.  Listen to Stokley’s latest single ‘Cascade’ now on Spotify

The L.A.-born singer, Elle B has come full circle with her latest offering titled, Ride and has teamed up with South African music producer and DJ, Gaba Cannal on a second track called, You Got Me. The two Amapiano tracks are uptempo and feel- good, and are a must-have for your dance or gym playlists. Elle B talks about Ride.  Listen to Elle B latest single ‘Ride’ now on Spotify

“Upside Down is simply, it’s about my life being so upside down; feeling beaten and battered from life but focused and confident that I’m flipping things right-side-up.”  Soul/R&B artist Gabe Baker released “Upside Down” on April 2, 2021. The cello-singing anthem follows Baker’s time on ABC’s “The Bachelor: Listen to Your Heart (2020).   Listen to Gabe Baker’s latest single ‘Upside Down’ now on Spotify

Beverley Knight, Mark Knight’s  “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” from DJ and producer Mark Knight, who has brought together the London Community Gospel Choir and UK soul legend Beverley Knight to deliver a song that feels like an antidote to a COVID-weary world.  Some songs seem to simply jump from the speakers, taking listeners on a musical journey to the past, or maybe to somewhere else.  Listen to ‘Everything’s Gonna Be Alright’ now on Spotify

If you were a soul music fan in the late 80s and early 90s, you definitely knew the name Eric Gable. An expressive singer with a big voice, he show all the way to #1 with his hit “Remember (The First Time),” and had a bunch of radio friendly cuts for the next half decade.

Now Orpheus Entertainment is putting together some of Eric’s best cuts – and making them available digitally for the first time – on the new album Straight from My Heart.  Listen to Eric Gable’s single “I Can Make You Feel Good” now on SoulTracks

Daphee and D. Salas are a husband and wife team signed to Thump/UMG. Daphee has released her debut album in 2019 called “Dreamer in California” and received dozens of high profile TV placements with the song “Hair Like This”. D. Salas is a veteran music producer who has created music for such luminaries as Smokey Robinson, Jenni Rivera, Frankie J and many more.   Listen to Daphee and D. Salas’s single ‘Fool for You’  now on Spotify

Whittington Still’s “Missing You” is a piano ballad with the relatable topic of the pain of being away from a special lover, and the emotions associated with wanting that person back, so strongly: “I miss everything about you / Your laugh, your smile, your grace.”

Whittington’s vocals are certainly front and center on this sparsely orchestrated number, and her exquisite phrasing and tone stand up beautifully.  Listen to ‘Missing You’ now on Spotify

On “LIGHTS ON”, Stringz EMB lays out a passionate piece filled with emotionally heavy vocals and copacetic guitar strumming. His experimental amalgamation of gospel, soul, blues, hip hop, and acoustic guitar has been deemed by many as something that we’ve been missing for a long time. The track melodically dives into the artist’s overwhelming sentiment of depression and self-awareness.   Listen to ‘Lights On’ now on Spotify

Kea Michaels has made a name for herself in music circles for smooth, rich vocals and her insightful – often personal – lyrics.  For her newest single, Kea uses her lyrical gift to express feelings about the state of the world, and more particularly the need for a more equitable society. “Holla If You Hear Me” examines the well documented challenges of today and makes a call for a unified response of change.   Listen to ‘Holla If You Hear Me’ now on Spotify

Varges Thomas ask if you ever had a conversation with your friend, lover, or soul-mate and you did not know what to say?  This is what his new single ‘Lost For Words’ is about.  Seems like the words you wanted to use were just frozen on your lips.  Words captivates, love penetrates with the one you love.  This smooth, soft soulful sensitive sound is sure to touch the souls of his fans around the world.   Listen to ‘Lost For Words’ now on Spotify

Dalya Riley returns with her 4th single, “You Drive me crazy”. “A song about how the person that you are in love with or have a crush on makes you feel! It’s that epitome of a feeling you have with just the bare mention of his/her name that races your heart!!” As always, we hope the new single resonates with you and thank you for following Dalya on her journey.  Listen to ‘You Drive Me Crazy’ now on Spotify

Maysa and AgapeSoul come together with a new bouncy midtempo single, “Nobody But You.” The song is a cool blend of jazzy soul with just a touch of pop for good measure. It has a breezy, summery feel, and fun lyrics of pure love: “I love sugar in my coffee / and butter on my toast / but of all the things I’ve ever loved, I love you the most.”  Listen to ‘Nobody But You’ now on SoulTracks

Yuphoric’s Meant To Be” feat. K.ZIA is especially close to the heart of the band’s frontman Sedric Perry.  The two artists share a similar work ethic and complement each other perfectly in their creativity. The song is meant to be a hug to all people, love yourself and carry this love further.  Listen to ‘Meant To Be’ now on Spotify

If you are in the mood to party and be free. Look no further than Hatty Keane’s new Bop entitled Club 69.  This funky single follows very quickly behind previous track Sing It.   Hatty promised us lots of new music this year and she doesn’t disappoint with this groovy banger.   Every release from Hatty is now getting serious attention across the board.    Listen to ‘Club 69’ now on Spotify

Coming across “America” (stage name for Sofia Anessi), the current young vocal leader of the group, was an important turning point for Lostinwhite, who found a fresh and sensitive performer in her. America cooperates with the project writing songs with Vittorio and has become an important reference for all us on stage and in the studio.   Listen to ‘This Week‘ now on Spotify

Breana Marin, has released her new single “Work,” a moving story of the hardships that relationships go through while deciding if it’s a journey they want to continue. “It’s about being in a relationship long past the honeymoon stage,” says Marin. “The point we reach where each person’s true colors are revealed, and deciding if you’re going to put the effort in to make it work.”  Listen to ‘Work’ now on Spotify