Rita Ray [2022] - A Life of Its Own [Funk Embassy Records] (Full Album)

I make no apology for loving this young lady's voice. Ever since her debut album "Old Love Will Rust" in 2019 (which sold out of two vinyl pressings), Rita Ray has enjoyed a steady rise on the contemporary soul scene. Her songwriting, voice and grand productions in studio as well as live settings are a thing of beauty. Her talent has been recognised in her home country by being awarded Estonian Jazz Awards, "Young Jazz Talent of the Year" 2021.

With style and grace, after pre-releasing three singles from the album, "Love Ain't The Same" (Mar '21), "No Greater Love", (Aug '21), "Please Wait For Me" (Nov '22), Rita invites you into her personal space once again with her sophomore album "A Life Of Its Own" which was released yesterday (28 Nov 2022). With lush cinematic string arrangements and vintage instrumentation the album is the lovechild of a lifelong affair with music by Miss Ray and her first-class band.

The album opens with the beautiful lead single "Love Ain't The Same" followed by the second single from the album, the retro, "No Greater Love". Then comes four southern soul style tracks in the Bill Withers vein, "So Sweet" and "Ms. Steal-Your-Man" parts 1 & 2 (on the latter getting down and funky) and "Sing It With Love". The penultimate track "Needless To Say" is a more sultry and soulful bluesy/jazz affair with the album closing with a soulful ballad "Please Wait For Me" which her latest single (released 18 Nov).

If you're looking for dance tracks then you will be disappointed as this is authentic, honest, soul music, albeit of the blue-eyed variety, played by real musicians with no electronic gimmickry or computer wizardry to be heard.

Please note that the album is also available via Bandcamp, so if you're planning on buying then this Friday is Bandcamp Friday where Bandcamp waives it's normal fees meaning that the music creators receive more of the proceeds. 

Many thanks to Henrik Ehte at Funk Embassy Records for servicing the album.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist. 

Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Funk Embassy Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	28/11/2022
Price:	£5.49

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