Diggin’ This: Nao – “Fly Away” (Little Tokyo Recordings)
Had this album on repeat since it came out last week. It’s difficult to pick a favorite track from the East London soul-jazz-R&B artist‘s latest project, produced by The… Continue reading
Tag Archive: Soul
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Diggin’ This: Telemakus ft Karriem Riggins & Chino Corvalán – “2054” (Good Problem Studios) (Video)
The Los Angeles composer, pianist, and producer takes flight on an airy instrumental jazz cut. Featuring the esteemed drummer and producer Karriem Riggins and the Paraguayan musician Chino Corvalán,… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: FATHERS (Kenny Beats, Kiefer, CARRTOONS & Nate Smith) – “Pearl” (Blue Note Records)
Meet the supergroup comprised of keyboardist Kiefer, bassist CARRTOONS, drummer Nate Smith, and producer Kenneth Blume aka Kenny Beats. “Pearl,” much like every single other brilliant track on this… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Corey King ft Takuya Kuroda – “Off the Embankment” (Western Vinyl)
From the New York artist who has previously collaborated with Esperanza Spalding, Gil Scott-Heron, Bonobo, Milton Nascimento, and DJ Premier. On his latest track, Corey King teams up with… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Greg Surmacz ft Ruby Wood – “For Me, For You” (XVI Records)
A soulful and electronic bounce from Leeds, UK. Featuring the vocals of West Yorkshire’s Ruby Wood of Submotion Orchestra, “For Me, For You” by Greg Surmacz is a kinetic… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Dina Ögon – “Orden Brann” (Playground Music)
Dreamy indie-pop-soul, equal parts retro and future. Beautiful soaring choral vocals, hand percussion in the pocket, and playful piano keys are all part of “Orden Brann” from Dina Ögon,… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Ruti – “Monster” (Mala Remix) (Big Family Music)
A pastoral folk-soul mechanization that becomes a metropolitan bass stepper. The rarefied vocals and acoustic guitar pluckings of Essex artist Ruti Olajugbagbe‘s latest track “Monster” meet the bass-heavy mind… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: SAULT – “Fulfil Your Spirit” (Forever Living Originals)
The best album of 2026 so far? The mysterious UK collective has returned with a brand new project, which, in addition to mainstays Inflo and Cleo Sol, counts Jack… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Anaiis – “Call Me (a) (B)” (Dream Sequence Recordings/5dB Records)
The moment those drums come in. Don’t be thrown by the song’s fragile and vulnerable start, “Call Me (a) (B)” by the London artist Anaiis, packs a powerful emotional… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Nia Smith – “Limit” (Polydor Records)
Sampling James Blake’s “Limit to Your Love.” An inspired rework of one of 2010’s best tracks, itself a cover of a Feist original, “Limit” by the Brixton, London artist… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Ímã – “Magnolias” (Lewis Recordings)
A slo-mo samba from Saint Augustine. Breathy and beachy, “Magnolias” is the first song, a chilled MPB-bossa nova creation, from Ímã, a Florida-based duo made up of producer Evan… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Alfa Mist ft Tawiah – “All Time” (Sekito)
An otherworldly London soul-jazz dream. By teaming up with the prolific UK soul singer Tawiah for his latest single “All Time,” the London-based songwriter, pianist, MC, and producer Alfa… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Yazmin Lacey – “Ain’t I Good For You” (AMF Records) (Video)
Some UK jazz-infused R&B for the summertime. London-via-Nottingham singer-songwriter Yazmin Lacey‘s latest is a breezy yet confident, percussive modern soul number. Yazmin Lacey – “Ain’t I Good… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: MRCY – “Man” (Dead Oceans)
Just like they said during their debut US radio interview on my weekly show for WNXP last year, MRCY are now readying the release of their new album VOLUME 2. … Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Silas Short – “L-Train” (Stones Throw Records)
New from the Chicago-via-Wisconsin artist. Led by a jazz piano hook that instantly draws you in, “L-Train” by Silas Short is an ode to the Windy City’s signature mode… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Eddie Chacon ft John Carroll Kirby – “Empire” (Stones Throw Records)
From the Los Angeles artist‘s new album produced by Nick Hakim. “Empire” pairs melancholy lyrics with sunny instrumentation on this alt-R&B strut that features the Solange and Frank Ocean… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Kokoroko ft Azekel – “Three Piece Suit” (Brownswood)
A tribute to the Nigerian immigrant experience in London. “Three Piece Suit” is a steady, jazz-infused Afrobeat groove by Kokoroko (a word meaning “be strong” in the language of… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Nubiyan Twist – “Breeze” (Strut/!K7 Records)
The London collective‘s track “24/7” with Ego Ella May featured in my Top 100 Tracks of 2020 list. “Breeze,” the latest track from Nubiyan Twist, is a vigorous and… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Barnabas – “Go There”
A delightfully glitchy and unvarnished beat. “Go There” is a late-night and lo-fi soulful R&B meditation from London, UK artist Barnabas. Barnabas – “Go There” … Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Michael Kiwanuka – “Lowdown” (Parts i & ii) (Polydor Records) (Video)
From the UK musician and producer‘s new album, Small Changes, which features Danger Mouse, SAULT’s Inflo, Pino Palladino, Jimmy Jam, and more. “Lowdown,” the latest from Michael Kiwanuka, is… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Thandii – “Sinus Node” (HaloHalo Records)
“Beat driven art-pop; love songs on a loop…” Having previously worked with modern UK soul and hip-hop luminaries such as Michael Kiwanuka, Little Simz, Ghostpoet, Mr. Jukes, Cleo Sol,… Continue reading
Album of the Week: Pocket Sun – Mirror in Blue Light
A psyche-indie journey to Bristol, UK and back. I’ve previously likened the five-piece Pocket Sun to DanDigs.com favorites Melody’s Echo Chamber, Little Dragon, and Men I Trust. Their… Continue reading
Album of the Week: Jordan Rakei – The Loop
The London-based, New Zealand-born musician’s fifth album. The Loop feels considered, cohesive, and personal. Here’s my favorite song from it. Jordan Rakei – “Trust” … Continue reading
Album of the Week: Las Los – Las Los
The duo who first met while playing in Charles Bradley’s touring band. Max Shrager (The Shacks) and Paul Schalda (The Sha La Das) are Las Los. The… Continue reading
Album of the Week: Sūn Byrd – Sūn Byrd (Vaco Records)
Scandinavian soul. Comprised of musicians from Norway’s Bård Berg Electric Band and Fieh, Sūn Byrd’s new self-titled album is a vivacious and carefully crafted modern soul workout. … Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Ceylon – “Qui Sait” (Floral Records) (Video)
Ad astra. “Qui Sait” is the latest song from the Toulouse, France cosmic indie-psyche-soul outfit Ceylon, comprised of Louise Holt and Tristan Chevalier (who both feature in the whimsical… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Catpack – “What I’ve Found” (Amber Navran from Moonchild, Jacob Mann & Phil Beaudreau) (Tru Thoughts)
Meows from the Juno synth. Amber Navran from Moonchild, keyboardist and clarinet player Jacob Mann, and singer and trumpet player Phil Beaudreau are Catpack. “What I’ve Found”… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Bryony Jarman-Pinto – “Moving Forward” (Produced by Nostalgia 77) (Tru Thoughts)
Exactly what I need to start 2024. Can’t stop listening to this new one from Bryony Jarman-Pinto. Brimming with optimism, “Moving Forward” is a ray of piano-led… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: LEILAH – “Stop Hurting My Feelings” (Produced by Mura Masa) (VLF Records)
The best song yet from the rising UK artist. Having featured on songs by SBTRKT and written with Nao, emerging musician LEILAH is definitely one to watch. … Continue reading
Diggin’ This: LVUSM – “Don’t Waste My Time”
Sounding like a lost Shalamar B-side. “Don’t Waste My Time” by New Jersey’s Miguel Santiago aka LVUSM is a masterful homage to 80s boogie, funk, and R&B. … Continue reading
Diggin’ This: 表情银行 (Mimik Banka) – “阻击手与陨石 (Sniper and Meteor)”
Psychedelic indie-soul-jazz from Beijing. Into this freeform journey from the wonderfully named 表情银行 (Mimik Banka), which is translated as “Facial Expression Bank.” 表情银行 (Mimik Banka) – “阻击手与陨石… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Ego Ella May – “Undone”
I first got switched on to the sound of London’s Ego Ella May back in 2015 when I heard “How Far” on her Zero EP. Her latest track, “Undone,”… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Cleo Sol – “Self” (Forever Living Originals)
Forever thankful for a new Cleo Sol album. I really liked the direction in which Cleo Sol and Inflo were heading with their SAULT song, “Love Will Free Your… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Oscar Jerome – “Far Too Much” (Jeromeo Records) (Video)
A breezy acoustic soul rendition. “Far Too Much” is an easygoing jam from the London soul and jazz artist, Oscar Jerome, that wouldn’t feel out of place on the… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Sampha – “Spirit 2.0” (Young Records)
The first new single from Sampha in six years. Can’t believe it’s been that long. His debut album Process came out in 2017, which was my number 1 album of… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Alabaster dePlume ft Momoko Gill aka MettaShiba – “Did You Know” (International Anthem)
A decidedly raw yet gentle soul-R&B-jazz concoction. Love the collision of peace and purpose on “Did You Know,” the new single from Manchester, UK musician and spoken word poet… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Astrid Engberg – “On Time” (Creak Inc.)
“You know that I try, I’m gonna be right on time…” With bass meanderings from beatmaker Moo Latte and soulful vocals meeting jazz keys over a stuttering beat, the… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Thee Marloes – “Beri Cinta Waktu” (Big Crown Records)
The newest signing to the Big Crown roster. Surabaya, Indonesia trio Thee Marloes are singer Natassya Sianturi, guitarist Sinatrya Dharaka, and drummer Tommy Satwick. Translated as “Give… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Skinny Pelembe – “Oh, Silly George” (Partisan Records) (Official Video)
Featuring Malcolm Catto of the Heliocentrics on drums. “Oh, Silly George,” the latest single from Donny-via-Joburg artist and Brownswood Future Bubblers alum Skinny Pelembe, is a wistful and nostalgic… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: KIRBY ft Dave Guy – “Take Care”
If Minnie Ripperton and Erykah Badu co-wrote an ode to self-care, it would sound a lot like this. “Take Care” is a mellow and soulful jazz cut that features… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: The IgG Band – “IgG Theme” (Kalita Records)
A disco-soul-funk rarity. Thrilled to hear the celebratory and party-starting groove of “IgG Theme” by the IgG Band, who formed in March 1979 while they were students at Meharry… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Steven Bamidele – “You Were Wrong” (Park the Van Records)
Modern UK soul at its finest. Containing shades of Thundercat, Anderson .Paak, and Pharrell, “You Were Wrong” by Brighton, UK’s Steven Bamidele is some mellow yet vulnerable sonic excellence.… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Lady Blackbird – “Ruler Of My Heart”
Los Angeles artist Lady Blackbird turns in a stunning, stunning cover of the Irma Thomas classic. Also of note on Lady Blackbird‘s new album is “Fix It,” an impressive… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Silas Short – “Queen of Paisley” (Stones Throw)
Spare, soulful R&B from the Chicago-via-Milwaukee artist Silas Short. It’s all about those airy harmonies, those subaqueous guitar notes, and that barely-there beat. Silas Short – “Queen… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Puma Blue – “Super Soft” (Blue Flowers Music)
If we could be still… just for a minute. “Super Soft” is my favorite track from the brand new album, In Praise of Shadows, by South London’s Puma Blue. … Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Raquel Martins – “Freedom”
London-via-Porto, Portugal singer-songwriter Raquel Martins emailed me with “I sell nu-jazz burritos” in the subject line and as such, dear reader, I opened that email faster than a hummingbird beats its wings.… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: KerenDun from Buttering Trio – “Afternoon” (Raw Tapes Records)
Soulful jazz from Tel Aviv’s KerenDun, one third of Buttering Trio. KerenDun – “Afternoon” “Afternoon” is out now via Raw Tapes Records. … Continue reading
Diggin’ This: Marker Starling – “Silk Rock” (Tin Angel Records)
Impossible not to groove to this. Toronto’s Chris A. Cummings is Marker Starling. His latest single, “Silk Rock,” is a winding and casually circular whirl of retro-indie-boogie,… Continue reading
Diggin’ This: JGrrey – “Ain’t So” (Stripes Records) (Official Video)
Ain’t this great. On her latest song “Ain’t So,” London’s JGrrey fuses 00s R&B beat patterns with 60s Motown soul melodies diced with 90s vinyl scratches and laced with a… Continue reading
New Album By Dan Digs: SUNRAYYS – Glow
My very first LP. Glow is a lo-fi Losangelican love letter to record stores, 90s UK indie, the beach, Toro y Moi, Primal Scream, Jai Paul, the Beta Band,… Continue reading