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I saw this guy live last year supporting Lianne LaHavas at Servants Jazz Quarters. It was a warm up gig for her performance on Jools Hollands’ show and subsequent world domination. Usually reading an artist bio makes you groan – they’re so often swimming with unhelpful comparisons and watery chunks of irrelevant information. L.A. Salami’s is very accurate however, in that it confirmed word for word the conversation I had with my companion at the gig “this guy sounds like he could have been a rapper but fell in love with Bob Dylan instead”. Dylan may be an influence but Salami has enough interesting stories of his own to set himself apart, and I look forward to writing about whoever ends up supporting L.A. Salami before his probable future appearances on Jools Holland and the likes’ shows.
There are few things more satisfying than watching a young artist grow and flourish over the years right in front of you. Szjerdene is such a wonderful example of someone taking her time and developing her craft, and there is a distinct vision and sense of identity that comes with each of her releases I have so much respect for. Szjerdene has exactly the kind of unique, pure, yet flexible voice producers dream of, and I imagine they constantly ask to feature her. It is so easy for singers to become a rent-a-voice before developing their own identities, yet Szjerdene seems to be particularly intent on making a clear artistic statement, even if it may take a little longer. The Patchwork EP, perhaps more so than Lead The Way, is a small yet perfectly formed jewel of a piece.
The relentlessly feel-good Mr Lau drops another EP of outstanding quality, so fine in fact most people with non-producer trained ears (me) can’t actually tell just how refined every snare and erm, tinkle is. Eric has an immense talent for bringing out the best in his collaborators, and The Mission bodes well that his follow up to New Territories will be worth the waiting…
Yesterday (feat. Guilty Simpson, Fatima & Olivier Daysoul) by Eric Lau
Purchase: The Mission EP
Connect: @ericlaumusic
Welcome to the future. I would bet my life this woman will be a legend, simply because it’s not really worth being here if the rest of the world doesn’t agree on that. After agonizing waiting, we have a free EP and an EP on iTunes on the same day – you’re a fool if you only grab the freebie, a damn fool. Perfect’s not a word to be used lightly but…
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Lianne La Havas – Lost and Found
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Purchase: Lost & Found | Free D/L: Live in LA
Connect: @liannelahavas
The first time I saw Jono he made me cry. He was on stage obviously, not shouting abuse. Now, years later, through the power of technology and Ninja Tune, Jono can make me cry from hundreds of miles away. It’s not a particularly melancholic LP, it’s just so beautiful it breaks your heart. Gulp.
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Jono McCleery – Fears
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Purchase: Jono McCleery – There Is
Connect: @jonomccleery
