A pleasant surprise greeted me this morning in my mailbox, the debut
album from S.E.L (Soulful Emma-Louise Bucknor) 'Loc'd In Consciousness' which was released on CD on 9 Apr 2021 and will be available to download 14 May 2021.
The new single 'Melodic Harmony' from the album is already receiving
airplay to a great reaction and was the highest new entry into the
Starpoint UK Soul Chart at #10 this week even though it won't be
officially released until 14 May 2021.
Soulful Emma-Lousie has been a vocal cornerstone for Jazzie B as part of
the Soul II Soul movement. She has covered a lot of solo ground during the
last few years including headlining the Summer Soulstice Festival in London and Margate’s Soul
Weekender Festival to expanding her musical message on Talk Radio’s
@BadassWomensHr and has co-hosted a regular monthly show with Deadly Smedly
on Mi Soul.
She released her debut single 'Necessary' in 2010 but it was the release of 'Elevation' in 2016 when her career took off, followed by a cover of Des'ree's 'You Gotta Be' in 2017.
For the debut album she has worked mainly with Italian multi
instrumentalist and producer Michele Chiavarini, US House producer DJ Spen
and Thomas McKay of the Night Crawlers and Soul II Soul’s violinist, Gill
Morley did the string arrangements. Emma’s song-writing prowess and lyrical arrangements shines
bright. Co-writers and featured artists include Bryan Chambers, Tanya Lacey, Nathan
Richards, Leon Nelson and Victory Paul-Emeralds.
The album is a very easy listen with not a 'duffer' on the whole album. It includes five
of her singles released since 2016 i.e. a new mix of Elevation, You Gotta
Be, Flowered Trees, Sweetest Pain and Fallin' plus five new tracks including
the new single Melodic Harmony, Girl, Brand New, Be Your Sun and My Point
Of View.
It's a contemporary, distinctly UK soul, set with an old school feel so
should have an across the board appeal. From the new sides, the outstanding ones are Melodic Harmony, Girl and Brand New, but as stated above there is not a 'filler' on the whole album.
Tracklist: (2 minute samples of each below)
Elevation (Michele Chiavarini 2021 mix)
A new 2021 mix of her 2016 single which reached #2 on UK Soul chart.
You Gotta Be
Cover of De'sree's 1994 top 20 pop hit which she released as a single in
2017 which topped the Traxsource House chart.
Melodic Harmony
The new single already at #10 on UK Soul chart
Girl
A touch of acid jazz, sounding like something the Brand New Heavies
could have recorded.
Flowered Tears
Single from 2017 that reached #2 on UK Soul chart
Brand New
Contemporary and funky with spoken word at start
Falling
Acousic and melodic single from last year with Bryan Chambers.
Be Your Sun
Another new track which has an acid jazz vibe with uplifting layered
grooves.
My Point Of View
Melodic and soulful ballad, the only downtempo track on the album.
Sweetest Pain
2018 single and an excellent adaptation of Dexter Wansel's Philly
classic which featured Jean Carn on vocals.
Click icons below for further information or to connect with the
artist.
| Rating: | 9 |
| Genre/Style: | Neo Soul |
| Format: | Album |
| Media: | CD/Digital |
| Label: | Self Released |
| Cat No: | None |
| Year: | 30/04/2021 / 16/05/2021 |
| Value: | £TBA |
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