S.E.L [2021] - Loc'd In Consciousness [Self Released] (Full Album Samples)

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.

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S.E.L · S.E.L - Loc'd In Consciousness

Details

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