Leeds hailing, internationally acclaimed songstress Corinne Bailey Rae hits us with a little something to keep the fans happy before she gears up for her next album after her critically acclaimed sophomore, The Sea. Aptly titled for its digital-only release on St. Valentine’s Day, The Love EP is a collection of covers she recorded whilst touring in support of The Sea. I had a listen to what it had to offer us...
Some people may know Natalie Williams from her earlier self-written solo albums Yours Truly and Secret Garden, some may even recognise her vocals on a few underground drum'n'bass hits but what they might not know is that Natalie been in the music industry for quite a few years, having worked with the likes of Goldie, John Legend, Amy Winehouse, Lemar, Jamie Cullum, Babyface and many more.
Prompting Natalie's 2010 MOBO Awards nomination for Best R&B/Soul Act [alongside Sade and Corinne Bailey Rae - but pipped to the post by Brit rapper-turned-singer Plan B], Natalie's current album My Oh My [released in late 2010] is a smooth blend of pop-inspired jazz and soul mixed in with a hint of R&B and makes for a perfect Sunday afternoon soundtrack.
Despite my good intentions, for whatever reason the opportunity to see Corinne Bailey Rae live had, until last Monday, evaded me. I therefore snapped up the chance to see her at the Royal Festival Hall, regardless of my misgivings about the suitability of the sizeable, somewhat sterile venue for an artist whose music suggests intimacy as much as hers. Any concerns that Ms Rae’s presence couldn’t fill the space were swiftly dashed to one side as this very emotional set progressed.
It’s fair to say that Rae’s is not the conventional big soul voice - and it’s all the more endearing for it. She can bring the room to a standstill anyway, with a heartfelt delivery complemented by the child-like vulnerability of her voice and phrasing that reveals a strong jazz sensibility. Monday’s concert reflected an artist who seems more comfortable with herself on stage than when she first hit the limelight. Her vocals, however, remain as gentle and unassuming as the lady herself appears to be. Corinne proves that you don’t have to scream to the rafters to hold the audience’s attention or pluck a few heart strings. Soul music can and should be more than that...
"I’m very much embedded in Hip Hop... everything I do has got that Hip Hop undercurrent to it. If I’m doing a Jazz tune it still has a Hip Hop aftertaste," says Andy Brooks aka Testament, Homecut’s infectiously charismatic frontman.
Despite it being a windy day on London’s Southbank, Testament is enthused as he talks to SoulCulture's Tola Ositelu about his musical heroes, using rappers as points of reference where others would use more pedestrian examples. But to limit Homecut’s sound to just Hip Hop doesn’t take into account the group’s varied style and myriad musical inspirations. Testament cites an impressive array of artists as influences from Hip Hop staples Nas, J Dilla, Madlib and Mos Def to Jazz and soul legends Bob James, Grosvenor Washington Jnr, Gil Scott Heron, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Erykah Badu and more obscure acts such as Moondog. He’s partial to a bit of Bossa Nova too. With such a dazzling list of musical icons, Homecut must be a collective of some very informed individuals...