Soul

The Fabulous Red Diesel live up to their name with major 16-track soul-jazz album

January 9, 2021 monkjackblog 0

The weird and wonderful ‘The Fabulous Red Diesel’ are a collective like nothing you’ve experienced before. Drawing on influences from all aspects of nature, the group give off an effortlessly cool, laid-back, hippie vibe and will have you mesmerised by their swooning soul and addictive jazz melodies.

Their new album ‘The Queensbury House Sessions’ is set to expand their reach to fans across the globe, capturing the hearts of fans of a thoughtful, soothing sound.

The Hastings-based group is made up of Ms Kitty (Kat Lee-Ryan) on vocals, keys and flute; her husband Duke Boom (Will Lee-Ryan) on drums; transgender musician Miss Bea-Have (Beatrice Gullick) on double bass, tuba and trumpet and Rabbi Jaffa Delicious (Simon Dobell) on guitar and trumpet. Their dedication to live shows has already built them a strong fanbase, instantly turning heads when they performed as the support artist for The James Taylor Quartet, Skunk Anansie and Jeff Buckley.

The collection of tracks open with an a..

The Fabulous Red Diesel live up to their name with ‘The Queensbury House Sessions’

January 8, 2021 monkjackblog 0

The Fabulous Red Diesel stand themselves as unique and suitably eccentric with their new EP ‘The Queensbury House Sessions’. What makes it all the more impressive is that it was recorded in just one take.

The band is made up of a husband and wife on vocals, a transgender trumpeter and double-bassist, a synth player and a guitarist named Rabbi Jaff Delicious – I guess you could say the record is fittingly unconventional.

‘Butterfly Mind’, the band’s hit single, holds a hypnotic sound. It’s a song about love, and the inability for the feeling to just flutter away…

Writer Kat discusses the song’s meaning to her:

“It’s about the way my brain works and the way music flits from one person to another, changing their perception (hopefully for the better) by tiny inspirational touches. And then it’s also a love song – I am married to the drummer and I’m saying no matter how many twists and turns and expansions my mind has, I am always grounded in him – you know I’ve got a butterfly mind ..

Angie A returns with her reggae rendition of Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’

December 14, 2020 monkjackblog 0

London based soul artist Angie A returns with reggae style version of Vera Lynn’s classic ‘We’ll Meet Again‘.

A historically emotive track that aims to raise funds for two charities plus encourage people to heal, reflect and think more rationally, this stylish cover is coated in dub-trap style production.

On the track, Angie A mentioned, “I was also curious to see how the original song lyrics would fit on a completely different style of music that was produced by Alann Ulises.”

Hoping to raise funds for technology in local schools and for care homes to invest in, Angie added:

“We’re already aware that ‘many pupils don’t have the necessary hardware to access their remote learning’ as pointed out by Streatham MP Bell Ribeiro Addy and I would like to help. Also, as someone who has entertained in many care homes before the pandemic, I would like to help raise funds so more care homes can adapt their entertainment to some kind of one room cinematic large screen zoom type entertainme..

Jon Scott’s new EP ‘Freedom- A New Jerusalem’ speaks against prejudice and spreads positivity

November 22, 2020 monkjackblog 0

Jon Scott is not only a renowned singer, but a multi-instrumentalist. In his brand new EP, he tells the story of a world reunited to combat racism and social injustice.

Listeners are invited to stand up against prejudice and corrupt politics, embracing the good in everyone. It’s a powerful message.

‘Freedom- A New Jerusalem’ also tackles the effects of the coronavirus and the significance of the Black Lives Matter movement. Jon Scott utilises his anger to target the political players in an unjust society.

Watch the video for ‘Freedom’ below:

The music has elements of soul, jazz and Afro-pop, all skilfully delivered by Jon, who also writes the lyrics himself. This EP is brave to take on such social issues, and Jon is unfazed by the political controversy he stirs up in the public sphere. This makes it all the more powerful.

Follow his socials below:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jscottmusic/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JonScottMusic_

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/..

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Fresh Hit Radar, the sultry edit

November 20, 2020 Admin 0

We’re back with another instalment of our Fresh Hit Radar feature. This week we’re really slowing it down with a collection of sultry, R&B infused tracks from some incredible artists.

First up it’s sibling duo Skelly with track Sentiment. This Jazz-inspired single is the perfect blend of old and new, fusing classic Jazz elements with modern R&B flair. Grooving brass sections and some stunningly smooth vocals make track Sentiment a stand-out debut release from Skelly, we can’t wait to see what ..

In the Face of Covid, Hate and Extreme Prejudice, Jon Scott is Set to Release New EP

November 17, 2020 monkjackblog 0

Whilst balancing his day job as a top lawyer with his own firm, London-based songwriter and musician Jon Scott is set to release new EP ‘Freedom- A New Jerusalem’- a crystalisation of his observations of the world as it battles against not only the effects of COVID-19 but also the social issues highlighted by the Black Lives Matters movement.

Combining elements of soul, jazz and Afro-pop, Jon Scott makes songs which touch the heart of the listener, taking them on a journey from his childhood on the streets of Lagos, Nigeria to the core issues affecting people today.

The first song off the EP is accompanied with a strong video encompassing Scott’s vision:

Out of all the craziness, hatred, spite and nastiness, the majority of folk all around the world marched together to stand up for what is blatantly right. It’s a seminal moment, era-defining and world awakening, particularly given the fact that this all occurred in lock down.

In particular, I hope that the video will be a picture c..

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I Am Tru Starr releases album ‘Viva’ as a hymn to Black Lives Matter

November 15, 2020 monkjackblog 0

I Am Tru Starr is an artist that epitomises musical expression. The tracks on this latest release truly portray his feelings and, for that reason, listeners can find it easy to relate to the emotional lyrics.

The album gives classic soul and hip-hop vibes while also allowing I Am Tru Starr to add his own twist to the music. Having spent five years in a federal prison, his experience with the subject of the lyrics gives a sense of realism. Especially in track ‘Something’s Gotta Change’, which brims with emotion and personal experience.

I Am Tru Starr is originally from Rochester, New York and he’s living in Las Vegas now. As a young black man, he’s seen first-hand the best and the worst elements of society and portrays this through his music. We can see this through the lyrics of ‘Something’s Gotta Change’:

“This society is sedated and I wanna do my part in waking ‘em up. It’s about time real music got the light it deserves. No politics. No label tricks. No big city backing. My fa..