Katlyn Nichol [2021] - Liar [Republic Records]

I listened to this a week or so ago and dismissed it as R&B 'nonsense' but have returned to it and it's grown on me as it has a bit of a 70s 'dissonant/off-key' funky edge in the background. An acquired taste for sure, but give it a few listens and see if it grows on you like me? It was the warbly/auto-tuned R&B style vocals that turned me off in the first instance.

Katlyn Nichol from North Carolina is perhaps better known as an actress for her roles in US TV series such as  "American Soul" (Simone Clark 2019-20) and "Black-ish" (Olivia Lockhart 2021) but she was singed as a singer to Mary J. Blige's label at the age of 12 (she's still only 22).

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Details

Rating:	7.4
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul / R&B
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Republic Records
Cat No:	None
Year:	04/06/2021
Key/BPM:	9B/96
Value:	£1

Kamasi Washington [2021] - Sun Kissed Child (Liberated / Music For the Movement Vol. 3 LP) [Hollywood Records]

I do like a bit of jazz occasionally, and a couple were posted yesterday. There's 'Jazz' and then there's 'jazz', if you know what I mean. Some of the smooth (elevator / 'safe') jazz you can keep as that's not what jazz is supposed to be about. It's supposed to be adventurous, avant-garde and edgy, and that's exactly what this track is.

It's from a mini compilation Liberated / Music For the Movement Vol. 3 released 18 Jun 2021 and features Dwight Trible and Patrice Quinn on vocals with Ronald Bruner Jr. on drums.

Kamasi Washington is an award winning saxophonist from L.A. and released his first solo album "The Epic" in 2015 and, despite it's 'grand and ambitious' title, it did live up to it's name receiving critical acclaim winning the inaugural American Music Prize in 2015 for best debut album. He's since released a further full-length album in 2018 "Heaven On Earth" as well as several EPs.

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Details

Rating:	8.2
Genre/Style:	Jazz
Format:	Album/Compilation
Media:	Digital
Label:	Hollywood Records
Cat No:	None
Year:	18/06/2021
Key/BPM:	9A/175/87
Value:	£1

Crystal Tamar [2021] - Serenade [Self Released]

One that's been around a few weeks, released 4 Jun 2021. It's Crystal Tamar's third single from her debut eponymous album  released in 2019.

She was a member of trio Sophia Fresh between 2008-11 who were set to release their debut album before disbanding but did release around 7 singles.

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Details

Rating:	7.5
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	04/06/2021
Key/BPM:	11A/70
Value:	£1

Kasia Konstance Feat. KinKai [2021] - You Never Do [Bridge The Gap]

A little late posting this Global Soul 'Essential 5' entry from last week which was released 11 Jun 2021.

Kasia Konstance is a singer/songwriter/flautist from London. This will be her third (and best) single since her debut "Cosmic Dust" last year which was also released with a remix. 

Health Warning: it contains the 'imperative' 30 seconds of rap (1:45-2:15) from Manchester's KinKai because this short section of rap seems to be critical to songs for some reason? I suppose I need to 'get over myself' as that's just the way it's going, but I don't really 'get it' myself!

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Bridge The Gap
Cat No:	None
Year:	11/06/2021
Key/BPM:	4B/65
Value:	£1