Kenya Vaun [2024] - The Honeymoon Phase [300 Entertainment] (Full Album)

We first encountered the music 21 yr old Kenya Vaun from Philadelphia with her excellent fourth single "Overrated" in Feb last year. Since then she's released two further singles "Summer" (May '23 which samples "Love T.K.O.") and "Used To" (Jan '24 samples Billy Stewart's "Sitting In The Park").

Today she has released her debut (13 track) album "The Honeymoon Phase" which includes all three singles plus a new version of "Summer" feat. Musiq Soulchild.

Given that a music video for it has been posted for it today, we would assume that the opening track, "Yesterday", is geared up to be the next single, although a lyric video has also been produced for "End Of The Day".

"Yesterday" is another that implements a sample, one well known to soul aficionados, "That Ain't The Way You Make Love" by Z.Z. Hill (1975) (but recorded first by Reggie Garner in 1974) co-written by McKinley Jackson and Lamont Dozier's brother Reginald,

Kenya released her first single "Movie Night" in 2018 followed by "Certified" in Jun 2019 and her third, "Bout Me", didn't arrive until Apr 2022. A child of the noughties, she grew up listening to what her mum was, i.e. Mary J. Blige, Angie Stone and Lauryn Hill, but cites her main influence as Inia Arie. 

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Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	Y Tracks: 1,2,6, 9-12
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	300 Entertainment
Cat No:	None
Date:	22/03/2024
Price:	£8.69

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LOONY [2024] - LOONY [Self Released] (Full Album)

The sophomore, self-titled, album from LOONY (aka Kira Huszar) who is from Scarborough, Toronto is out today (22 Mar). Her first was "Soft Thing" delivered in Jun '21.

We counted all seven of her singles released since then amongst the twelve tracks with "Show Me Why" being our standout from the five new songs.

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Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	22/03/2024
Price:	£7.99

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Savaiah [2024] - Breathe [Self Released]

After releasing ten singles since 2021, Savaiah Martinez released her debut album "Reflection From You" in Sep '23.

Since then she's released two singles, both this year, with the latest "Breathe" today *(22 Mar).

Saviaih is an 18 yr old Black/Mexican from the Bay Area.

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Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	18/03/2024
Key/BPM:	6B/70
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

ANDRIELLE [2024] - 4 EVER (ACOUSTIC) [Self Released]

Born and raised in Harlem, NYC, Andrielle Beamon spent years developing an eclectic taste for music accompanying her jazz playing father absorbing the sounds of blues, rock, country and pop music from the age of 4 and playing the flute by age 10.

After years behind the scenes she is now stepping into the spotlight, preparing to drop her self-written and produced debut EP. The first single "PHONE DOWN" in Jun '23 and now her second single of 2024, "4 EVER (ACOUSTIC)". 

It was a jaw dropping moment when we first set ears upon this beautifully delivered ballad.  Sadly, it is perhaps far too subtle for many DJs who just seem to play dance oriented music. Hopefully we're proved wrong as this is a superb and classy vocal performance that deserves airplay

With the 'acoustic' tag, we wondered if there was a previous non-acoustic version and there is a music video for it on her YouTube channel (below) that doesn't appear to be available on the download sites.

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Details

Rating:	8.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	22/03/2024
Key/BPM:	9B/48
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

SiR [2024] - HEAVY [Top Dawg Entertainment] (Full Album)

SiR is singer/songwriter Darryl Farris out of Inglewood, CA, who debuted with "Seven Sundays" in 2015. Since his third and last album, "Chasing Summer" (Aug '19), he has been self-medicating from depression but is back after rehab with his fourth album "HEAVY" today. The 37 yr old states that the latest album is "as personal as I’ll ever get in my music".

Farris is from a musical family, his mother was a backing singer for Chaka Khan, Michael Jackson and Anita Baker and his bothers are rapper D Smoke and R&B singer Davion Farris

He has written songs with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott, Anita Baker, Robert Glasper, Tyrese since he began his career. His writing credits can also be found on recordings by Ledisi, Alicia Keys, Anderson .Paak, Alex Isley and Joyce Wrice to name a few.

His only previous appearance on these pages was on a collaboration with Robert Glasper and Alex Isley, "Back To Love", for which he received a Grammy nomination at this year's awards. On that post we referred to his cover of The Isley's "Footsteps In The Dark" (Nov '20)

Our choice cut is "Poetry In Motion" which features Anderson .Paak. A few other tracks worthy of highlighting include: "You", "Only Human", "Nothing Even Matters" (single from Sep '22) and "Tryin' My Hardest". Hip-hop and R&B lovers may choose different tracks but these are our choices from a soul listener perspective.

It is also worth noting that the current digital price for the whole album on Amazon is a mere £5.49.

You can read an interview with SiR talking about the new album on Grammy.com posted only yesterday.

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Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	R&B
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Top Dawg Entertainment
Cat No:	None
Date:	22/03/2024
Price:	£5.49

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved