With no airbrushing and no studio trickery, Raw Soul Express are still the soul and funk force of nature they were when they released their first album 45 years ago and their new single, Fate of the World, sees the band as tight and as vital as ever. Retaining their original core members, a feat almost unheard of in the music world, the band are still at the top of their game, creating a track with delicious melodies, thought-provoking lyrics and extraordinary musicianship and vocals. Raw Soul Express have produced another killer tune for not only their legions of existing fans but for audiences of all kinds who love real music.

Fate of the World is a track Raw Soul Express simply had to create. With lyrics which touch upon the Black Lives Matter movement; the COVID pandemic, the economy and Global Warming, yet are far from preaching, they ask the questions and then ask the listener to make up their own minds. Formed in 1969, Raw Soul Express still feature original and core members whose attachment to the band stretches back to their first album in 1976 and the now hugely collectible single, The Way We Live.

Ever-presents Rick Washington (lead vocals/sax/flute); Chris Perkins (keyboards and vocals); Tommy Johnson (guitar/vocals), John McMinn (tenor sex/alto sax/keys/vocals); long-time bassist and vocalist Albie Manno;; Paul Mullen (keys/vocals) and Harold Seay (drums/vocals)  have a chemistry you simply can’t manufacture, as well as resumes to die for, having played individually with luminaries such as KC & the Sunshine Band, Joe Walsh, Lenny Kravitz and BB King, not to mention appearing on stage alongside legends such as James Brown and Kool and the Gang.

From their first self-titled album, throughout the 70s and 80s and their resurrection in 2016, the band’s music has always been in demand and Fate of the World looks to extend this into 2021, keeping it real into their second half century!

Chris Perkins on the group:

Over the years we have bonded as musicians and friends from the time of the band's inception up until present. More than fellow musicians, we are a family. Together we express our raw-ist talent. What you hear is exactly what it is we are "Raw" and our "Soul" we do "Express!

On the song:

if you are conscience about your surroundings, mentally, socially and economically with a deep concern for humanity and God and love for your fellowman and the environment, then Fate of the World addresses these issues in our society. It's powerful, raw and its current. Unfortunately, it's in real time.

Albie Manno on the group:

In 1971 I answered an ad on a bulletin board in a music store for bass player wanted. I sat in one evening and jammed with the band. About three months later at 3 a.m. there was a knock at my door. Three band members woke to me and asked if I wanted to be in the band. "You have to decide now" they said. We have a gig at Bethune-Cookman all black college. The bass player they had left them in a spot so half asleep I said yes. I believe I was the only hippie there that night. After doing the gig and losing about 20 lbs from pure fear and nerves not knowing what the hell I was doing, they decided to keep me and 50 years later here I am!

On the song:

Because the song was written by myself and Rick some 25 years ago, I had no idea in 2019 when I was planning to make the video in 2020 what the images were going to be. To me it just affirms that what we've been doing all along is what we were meant to do. As artists I believe we should reflect on the times, may they be good or bad.

Rick Washington on the group:

I was raised in the church and a Believer and a man of faith. So, I feel a certain amount of Destiny involved with the members of this band that I'm a part of. When I first met Chris Perkins, we hit it off and we soon found out we had a lot in common musically and in our beliefs. It always felt right when we were working together for a common cause.

Mixing together influences of Progressive, Jazz, and Blues with his instincts as a guitarist and songwriter, London based artist Alan Dweck returns with his anticipated new single - ‘Before’. The globe-trotting artist, who has lived everywhere from France to Australia to Hong Kong, brings all that rich experience into his music which has continued to move people throughout the years. From being one of the first Western bands to play in a post-Berlin Wall Eastern Europe to releasing this single, his music only continues to impress and touch people’s hearts.

Dweck’s ‘tribute to some of the great blues and soul songs of the past’, invites listeners through a window into the well-travelled life of the artist – unearthing deep and incredibly personal emotion in a way that audiences cannot resist resonating with. Poignant lyrics dance across introspective instrumentals, framing the piece in such a way that allows listeners to form their own images and associations with the work. ‘Before’ paves the way for a wider album planned for release this year but in the meantime the intricate craft behind the single gives fans more than enough to enjoy.

“Alan Dweck paints visceral imagery through his music. Narrative driven, at times almost theatrical nod to piano driven cinematic soundscapes and acoustic guitar licks spliced with Progressive, Jazz and Blues. Alan has always pursued a symbiotic combination of the sonic and visual arts.”

Mixing together influences of Progressive, Jazz, and Blues with his instincts as a guitarist and songwriter, London based artist Alan Dweck returns with his anticipated new single - ‘Before’. The globe-trotting artist, who has lived everywhere from France to Australia to Hong Kong, brings all that rich experience into his music which has continued to move people throughout the years. From being one of the first Western bands to play in a post-Berlin Wall Eastern Europe to releasing this single, his music only continues to impress and touch people’s hearts.

Dweck’s ‘tribute to some of the great blues and soul songs of the past’, invites listeners through a window into the well-travelled life of the artist – unearthing deep and incredibly personal emotion in a way that audiences cannot resist resonating with. Poignant lyrics dance across introspective instrumentals, framing the piece in such a way that allows listeners to form their own images and associations with the work. ‘Before’ paves the way for a wider album planned for release this year but in the meantime, the intricate craft behind the single gives fans more than enough to enjoy.  

“Alan Dweck paints visceral imagery through his music. Narrative driven, at times almost theatrical nod to piano driven cinematic soundscapes and acoustic guitar licks spliced with Progressive, Jazz and Blues. Alan has always pursued a symbiotic combination of the sonic and visual arts.”

Mixing together influences of Progressive, Jazz, and Blues with his instincts as a guitarist and songwriter, London based artist Alan Dweck returns with his anticipated new single - ‘Before’. The globe-trotting artist, who has lived everywhere from France to Australia to Hong Kong, brings all that rich experience into his music which has continued to move people throughout the years. From being one of the first Western bands to play in a post-Berlin Wall Eastern Europe to releasing this single, his music only continues to impress and touch people’s hearts.

Dweck’s ‘tribute to some of the great blues and soul songs of the past’, invites listeners through a window into the well-travelled life of the artist – unearthing deep and incredibly personal emotion in a way that audiences cannot resist resonating with. Poignant lyrics dance across introspective instrumentals, framing the piece in such a way that allows listeners to form their own images and associations with the work. ‘Before’ paves the way for a wider album planned for release this year but in the meantime the intricate craft behind the single gives fans more than enough to enjoy.

“Alan Dweck paints visceral imagery through his music. Narrative driven, at times almost theatrical nod to piano driven cinematic soundscapes and acoustic guitar licks spliced with Progressive, Jazz and Blues. Alan has always pursued a symbiotic combination of the sonic and visual arts.”

Playing against their namesake, alt-rock band Chameleon Lady define a strong Celtic inspired identity on  their upcoming EP 11 Waverley Road. Named for the house in which the project was written, the EP marks a move to rockier and experimental waters for the group that reflects on their growth since their 2018 album Calling Card. 

While most bands consider themselves tight-knit, Chameleon Lady are particularly so! Founding member  Cameron Middlemass plays alongside brother Tom Middlemass, Tom’s partner Caitlin Hutchison, her father Kenny Hutchison, brother Robbie Hutchison, and their cousin Michael Fitzpatrick. The result is a synergy like no other, with the open and honest approach to songwriting that resulted in focus single Valentine (releasing 15/11/21). 

“One of us will come up with an idea and it’ll either be poopooed very quickly (we can all take it as we’re all family or partners) or everyone will chip in and shape it into something that suits the song perfectly. Every song on the EP is a result of complete collaboration within the band (although Cam our lead singer will tell you every good idea is his!)”

Opening with the wonderous build and crash into melody of classic 80s rock, Cameron’s energetic vocals duet Tom’s infectiously catchy riffs, all carried by Robbie’s ever-growing percussion. Valentine rumbles over into an explosion that is marries the very best of folk rock with the epic builds of a Bon Jovi or Starship classic. 

Proudly based in the heart of Edinburgh, Chameleon Lady have stolen the hearts of the region. Drummer Robbie previously collaborated with X Factor contestant Caitlyn Van Beck on a Radio Forth song which peaked at no. 2 and 22 on the Scottish and UK charts respectively and saw him share the stage with Lewis Capaldi. Having played the Boogie in the Morning radio show and opened for The Darkness and Skerryvore, the band are set to play a French festival run to their awaiting European fans having graced  their radio airways previously.

Audiences can look forward to being invited to ‘11 Waverley Road’ on 03/12/21.

Alan Dweck breathes new life into his beloved track 'Melting Icicles' from the 2019 album Entangled Moments. Fully remixed, remastered, and reimaged, the Melting Icicles single brings the best of 60s and 70s prog-rock into the 21 st Century, along with a host of influences spanning soul, funk, jazz, blues, world music, and classical.

The song opts for a stripped back production, ditching bells and whistles for the sentimentality of Dweck’s powerful vocals and simple yet effective instrumentation. A thin sonic texture allows all elements of the track to shine. A haunting piano paves the way for sentimental strings, technically masterful guitar, and Alan’s richly emotional delivery.

“I wrote this song just after arriving in Singapore, probably one of the fastest songs I have ever written. Surrounded on all sides by a new and different culture, I felt a long way from home and somehow the idea, words, chords, and structure just fell out. It was all I could do to get it all down on paper.”

The single’s accompanying video embodies Alan’s principles in art – substance over ego. A series of animated abstractions ebb and flow with the song’s swells and breaths as paintbrush strokes progress a dynamic pastel colour palette. Absent from the video is Dweck himself who has no interest in celebrity or fame. The result is a marriage of audio and visuals only concerned with curating an inviting and promising mood, with a stellar single to match.

Melting Icicles follows the success of Alan’s other remaster from the same album, Before, which saw critical and fan acclaim. Racking up over 142,000 streams since its release earlier this year, the single was described as “simple, elegant, and powerful” (Fingertips Music) and like Melting Icicles, is accompanied by a masterfully rendered animated video.

Dweck’s ‘tribute to some of the great blues and soul songs of the past’, invites listeners into the well-traveled life of the artist - unearthing deep and incredibly personal emotion in a way that audiences cannot resist resonating with.

Poignant lyrics dance across introspective instrumentals, framing the piece in such a way that allows listeners to form their own images and associations with the work.

Through the art of folklore, emotional storytelling and genre-bending, 5-piece power group Mitsune transports you to a world of vivid global fusion. Fronted by an all-female trio of shamisen players, accompanied by percussion and double bass, Mitsune take their love of Japanese folk music and infuse it with eastern blues, jazz, rock and cinematic influences, creating a uniquely addictive sound.

Based in Berlin, with members of the band hailing from Japan, Germany, Australia, and Greece, Mitsune traverses borders as they blend their diverse, culturally-driven compositions with rhythmic explorations of Japanese folk music. Having supported Nai Palm (Hiatus Kaiyote) in Berlin, to performing extensively at festivals, concerts and events all across Europe, Mitsune’s trajectory continues toward their new album Hazama, set for release on February 18th, 2022.

Hazama (translating to ‘in between’ in Japanese) is an album that explores the feeling of being in limbo, caught between worlds. Filled with uplifting group vocals, strong driving rhythmic beats and an exciting range of instruments including shinobue, ney, qanun, koto and the Tsugaru shamisen (a 3-stringed Japanese folk instrument), the group immerses you not only with sounds you haven’t heard before, but with beautiful melodies and harmonies to match.

Set to release one single a week in the lead-up to the album launch, we are met with a feast of excitingly disparate compositions, all leading back to that common feeling of unity, a theme that Mitsune strongly communicates in every musical endeavor.

SINGLE RELEASE DATES:
13th January - 'Maru' Live Video Release
20th January - 'Maru' Single Release (Digital)
27th January - 'Fusako no Hula' Single Release (Digital)
3rd February - 'Hazama' Animated Video Release
10th February - 'Kaigara Bushi' Single Release (Digital)
18th February - HAZAMA ALBUM RELEASE

Music is the universal language and Brit-rock influenced, Israeli-born Izakman serves as the living embodiment of this. Incorporating English, British Sign Language, Braille, and Morse Code in his acclaimed music video Cyber Love, the upcoming musician has caught the attention of festivals and  critics worldwide. The video is for the title single of his album Cyber Love, due for release 27/01/22.

The 12-track album explores themes of absence scored by a soundscape inspired by psychedelic literature spanning the works of Lewis Carroll and Brothers Grimm. Frontman and songwriter Itamar Isaak  conjures a mystical sound equal parts whimsical, melancholic, and technically proficient, in an acid  prog rock journey led by himself and his band.

The troubadour showcases these talents on Cyber Love’s music video. A totally transcendent work of art,  fronted by the soulful and graceful Izakman, the song laments on the struggles of communication in  the digital age. Izakman translates the song in real time with an otherworldly British Sign Language  dance choreographed alongside specialist Sarah Landsman as a psychedelic backdrop incorporates braille and morse code. The video, which Izakman also directed and edited, participated in Munich  Music Video Awards, International Music Video Awards London, Rome Music Video Awards,  London Music Video Festival 2021, and Euro Video Song Awards Paris.

A new animated music video for Down The Rabbit Hole will accompany the release of the album. Inspired  directly by Lewis Carroll’s work across mathematics and literature, the video follows a young  mathematician lost in a mathematical wonderland in pursuit of the solution to a complex equation – a solution that manifests as Alice. The video showcases a new mathematical branch, Soft Logics, that  challenges the binary nature of true/false limitations.

Izakman’s creativity spans beyond his music as the artist is also a celebrated filmmaker. Inspired by the  legendary Yellow Submarine at only 10, Izakman was a conduit as thousands of images and piano pieces  flew through him. Today, he introduces the same wonder on to new generations with his upcoming, Jules  Verne inspired fantasy adventure television show for Baby TV (Disney). Much like his music the project  plays in a state of heightened reality, this time with a combination of live action and animation.

Across his work in film and music, his connections to the fantastically dynamic underground Israeli music  scene, or even simply enjoying rhythmic repetitious singing with one of the last remaining hunter-gather  tribes in Africa, Izakman remains ever cosmically entrancing and synonymous with creativity.  Audiences can look forward to hearing the full album 27/01/22. 

Ragas, with a jazz twist… The Norwegian Grammy nominated Harpreet Bansal blurs the lines between the North Indian tradition and erratic, playful jazz in Parvat - the wildly free and musically outstanding three-piece movement.

37 minutes long, the body of work is a showcase of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and Oslo Philharmonic soloist’s talents. With a strong and deep-rooted foundation in Indian’s classical music, the music is elevated by the rich well of Harpreet’s influences. Inspired by all, from Konnakol, her contemporaries, the finest gurus across Europe, India, and Asian, and even classic rock, Parvat is an epic and dramatic collection of movements. At times a billowing air of mystery with deep double bass and an encompassing soundscape, and at other times highly kinetic with thundering tabla and strikes of string, the album’s constant is a sense of the extraordinary.

The extraordinary is of course no stranger to the critically acclaimed artist. Beginning her musical journey at only two years old, Harpreet’s first guru was her father who moved to Oslo in the 70s. From there Harpreet’s journey has seen her tour extensively through Europe, India, and Asia, and studying under legendary Indian musicians such as Dr. L. Subramaniam and Kavita Krishnamurthi, trailblazing as the first to study North Indian classical music at the Norwegian Academy of Music, being nominated for a Norwegian Grammy for her second album, and playing 700 concerts for school children which she describes as “the toughest and best audience in the world”.

More recently, fans may recognise Harpreet from her placement in the band Combonations with BBC World Music artist the late, great Solo Cissoko, as well performances alongside the likes of Bugge Wesseltoft, Nils Petter, Svante Henryson, and Vahid Taj Ao.

Between being a composer, orchestra soloist, mother, and even having a Tae Kwon Do black belt, it is apparent that Harpreet Bansal is one of North Indian traditional music’s most exciting characters. With a universally praised radical approach to the genre, the artist carries the torch from the greats before her as she pushes the music into new and exciting territories altogether. Audiences can look forward to hearing Parvat on Feb 11th 2022.