Five-time Grammy-winning African music icon collaborates with legendary songwriter Diane Warren, Nigerian afrobeat producer Shizzi and South Africa’s Soweto Gospel Choir on joyful new single!

The five-time Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and activist Angélique Kidjo, who celebrated her 40-year career with a triumphant sold-out concert at The Royal Albert Hall in November, returns this month with a brand-new single "Sunlight To My Soul". Released via Parlophone on Friday July 12, the joyful, upbeat track once again sees Kidjo collaborating with some of the biggest names in music. Composed by the most nominated songwriter in Oscar history Diane Warren, Sunlight To My Soul was produced by Nigerian afrobeat star Shizzi (Ed Sheeran, Fireboy DML, Sean Kingston), and features a guest appearance from South Africa’s Soweto Gospel Choir.

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Angélique Kidjo is one of the most revered artists in international music today, a creative force with sixteen albums to her name. Time Magazine has called her "Africa's premier diva” and named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world for 2021. The BBC has included her in its list of the continent's 50 most iconic figures, and The Guardian listed her as one of their Top 100 Most Inspiring Women in the World. Forbes Magazine has ranked Angelique as the first woman in their list of the Most Powerful Celebrities in Africa and she was the recipient of the 2023 Polar Music Prize.

Website: Angélique Kidjo

Ippi or Ipshita Roy, is one of the well-known Jazz, Blues and Soul vocalist from New Delhi, India and is currently residing in Dallas, Texas. Ippi started her musical journey in 2009 as the frontwoman for Delhi based blues band Big Bang Blues. She launched herself as a solo artist in 2016, with her debut single ‘Your Love.’ She released her debut six track album, “Love, Life and Melody,” internationally in June 2018. Ippi graduated from the prestigious University of North Texas’ Jazz program and is the recipient of the Paris Rutherford Jazz leadership award and COM merit award. She has played across all major cities in India and is now gaining reputation as a Jazz performer in America**. She has also been a part of several music festivals such as Mahindra Blues Festival, Cotai jazz and Blues festival (Macau), Kasauli Rhythm and Blues, Denton Arts and Jazz festival, Frisco finishers fest among others**. She was nominated for Jack Daniels awards for Best Female Vocalist in 2013. Her work has been well recognized in all major press and media outlets in India such as RollingStone India magazine, Times of India, Hindustan times and more. She is now navigating the Jazz world in the US.

“Who’s that knocking on my door” is a tune written by Gus Kahn and Seymour Simmons and first recorded in 1927 by Annette Hanshaw. The song is a rhythm changes form, that puts a fun spin on the idea of anticipation of a woman desperately waiting for her lover. It is fast, upbeat and a very catchy and happy song. Ippi fell in love with the track when she explored 1920s Jazz for the first time in 2011 and since then she has been continuing her research on the less known repertoire from the 20s. She was inspired by a gypsy jazz interpretation for this single. It features Alex Hand on Guitars and Nick Woodhouse on Bass.This is the first of many singles she is releasing that showcases her research on the 1920s less known repertoire.

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Ippi website click here

London, UK (28th June 2024). Emerging band Periscopi Invertit released their fifth single “La dama d'Aragó” on the 28th June 2024 offering a new musical perspective to the vibrant London multicultural music scene.

Periscopi Invertit founder Mireia Carbonell already finished the mastering of her first album and more releases will come soon. The single, “La dama d'Aragó” was recorded between London and Barcelona studios as some of the musicians are based in Catalonia and some in the UK. It features some of the finest performers from the London multicultural music scene and some great Catalan musicians. It was mastered at Sound-Ray Recordings.

“La dama d'Aragó” is a Catalan folk ballad, from XIV century, rearranged with an original jazz accompaniment blended with an oud and darbuka accompaniment (Mediterranean instruments, from North Africa). A love song that shares some verses from a Greek medieval folk tune that was popular around the Mediterranean basin during the medieval age (at that time, Catalans had an important control of the Mediterranean sea and that was giving them more contact with the other Mediterranean backgrounds). Nowadays, this song belongs to the Catalan musical heritage and it is still live in the Catalan Countries (Catalonia, Valencia and Balearic Islands). Periscopi Invertit created a new arrangement for this romantic folk melody, creating a tapping bass introduction followed by beautiful jazzy piano and oud accompaniment & solos, allowing the song to travel between different epoques.

Mireia Carbonell is the bandleader, bass player, composer and founder of Periscopi Invertit. Mireia is a London based jazz musician who is passionate about mixing music from different backgrounds with current music styles. She is from Barcelona (Catalonia), and uses her Catalan background to create new sonorities by mixing folk melodies with funk/jazz/latin music styles and Mediterranean rhythms.

Since arriving in the UK, Mireia has performed as a bass player at numerous musical events including the musical show Millennials at MTFest, Turbine Theater and festivals such as: African Diaspora Better World Festival Wilderness Festival London Eid Festival The British Academy Summer Showcase 2019 Africa OyeJourneys Festival 15th London African Music Festival The big Feastival Rising sounds Festival Village Beach Festival Green Village Festival She has played with artists including Mim Suleiman, Nelson & Friends, Koroleko, Malunga and Berber Difusion and she currently features Amro Salah (Cairo Jazz Festival director) and Ziad Hisham when they are performing with Periscopi Invertit band.

PERSICOPI INVERTIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Be transported on an idyllic journey through jazz, R&B, pop, and classical traditions as Turiya, an all-star trio hailing from Boorloo (Perth), Western Australia, releases their anticipated debut album, "Bliss" - out now.

With plays across Australia on PBS FM, Triple R, 4ZZZ, Radio Adelaide, Cairns FM, Northside Radio, and selected as this week's local feature album on RTRFM, the record draws inspiration from the ethereal harp glissandos and eclectic jazz compositions of American jazz composer and spiritual luminary, Alice Coltrane, inviting listeners to transcend the ordinary for 50 minutes of musical “Bliss”.

This rare incarnation of a harp trio featuring Michelle Smith on harp, Kate Pass on double bass, and Talya Valenti on drums, will open your mind to how diverse the harp can sound, making it an excellent lead instrument.

Forming in 2020, Turiya emerged from the harmonious collaboration of three established musicians and close friends. Kate and Talya's musical bond traces back to their days as students at the WA Academy of Performing Arts, while Kate and Michelle's connection spans over a decade.

"In Hindu philosophy, Turiya represents the true self," says harpist Michelle Smith about their band name. "Our main inspiration, Alice Coltrane, adopted the name 'Turiya,' embodying both a Hindu spiritual leader and an extraordinary jazz harpist."

Individually, each member of Turiya brings a wealth of experience and accolades to the project.

Kate Pass, an award-winning bassist currently on scholarship at The New School in New York, leads the Kohesia Ensemble, fusing Persian music with jazz. Her performances span prestigious venues worldwide, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and festivals across continents.

Talya Valenti, a highly accomplished drummer with nominations from the NLMA and multiple WAM Awards, has toured nationally and internationally with acclaimed acts such as Methyl Ethel, Stella Donnelly and ‘Songs for Freedom’, and has played at major events including Glastonbury Festival and Fuji Rock.

Michelle Smith, mentored by jazz harpist Deborah Henson-Conant and trained at Berklee College of Music, has captivated audiences across Australia and the USA with her solo harp performances and collaborations with ARIA Award-winners Karnivool and hip-hop artist Mathas.

"Bliss" emerged from casual improv sessions during the COVID lockdowns, which blossomed into collaborative songwriting, with all three members contributing tracks to the album. Their sold-out debut at the 2021 FringeWorld Festival marked the beginning of their journey, with subsequent performances at RTRFM92.1's Courtyard Club and Fremantle Arts Centre's 'Sunday Music' series.

"The beauty of this band lies in our diverse influences and musical trajectories," reflects drummer Talya Valenti. "We've borrowed from a spectrum of genres to collaborate and create something unique."

Bassist Kate Pass adds: "Working with harp brings a new palette of colours to our music. It's inspiring to write specifically for each other and to witness the magic that unfolds when great friends come together."

In addition to Alice Coltrane, artists like Dorothy Ashby, Robert Glasper, and Shostakovich have left an indelible mark on 'Bliss', shaping its rich and diverse sound.

New single ‘Solace’ features lyrics and vocals by POW! Negro* and stands as the album's sole vocal track, inspired by Talya's exploration of spoken word and admiration for artists like Aja-Monet and Kassa Overall.

As Turiya prepares to launch the new album this week at The Rechabite, Perth on July 4, 2024, ultimately, they hope to leave listeners with a sense of peace, beauty, and 'Bliss' – a sublime offering in today’s world.

‘Bliss’ by Turiya is out now digitally with vinyl and CDs available for order on Bandcamp.

San Diego musician, mentor and trailblazer, Tasha Smith Godinez delivers A NEW DAY on Celtic and electric harps.

“… athletic excursions…. penchant for the avant garde” ***** 5-star review BBC Music Magazine
“The inherently transcendental sound of virtuoso Tasha Smith Godinez’s harp… fascinating and evocative” Songlines*
“… a champion for the harp”* The Alternative 9 Review
“… unforgettable sound…”JazzQuad
“She is constantly looking for the limits that her instrument seems to impose, and she tries again and again to assign a new sound and new sounds to the repertoire for the harp.” Rootstime

There are harp players, composers and then there’s trailblazers: musicians whose entire career centres around the instrument they love, taking their work to a whole new level. Such is the case for San Diego harpist, Tasha Smith Godinez, whose life and career centres around the harp. As the director of the San Diego Harp Academy, Tasha teaches and mentors the harp and as the founder of Ennanga Records & Publishing, Tasha composes, records and arranges harp music with an edge.  

A NEW DAY is a collection of nine original compositions by Tasha Smith Godinez brought to life by two harps, viola, bass, percussion and a dash of vocals. On A NEW DAY, Tasha includes new techniques on both the Celtic and electric harps as she journeys into a jazz-world music fusion. As Tasha Smith Godinez explains,

“The blend of the electric and acoustic harp sounds brings new life to the harp augmenting the instrument’s sonic possibilities and expanding the horizon of harp music.”

Tasha Smith Godinez incorporates traditional harp plucking with various other techniques and instruments at the same time. These include mallets on the strings and soundboard of the electric harp, the use of stomp pedals on both harps for various effects, a variety of cymbals, chimes and percussive cymbals called crotales and using the soundboard as an occasional drum.

Tasha Smith Godinez delights in stretching her limits as a harp performer and is joined on A NEW DAY by viola and electric bass player, Domenico Hueso and masterful percussionist, Christopher Garcia who proves the rightness of ‘less is more’ throughout the album. Before going into the studio to start recording A NEW DAY, Tasha learnt how to play both the Celtic and electric harps simultaneously which she accomplishes on ‘The Word Began His Work’ and ‘The Least of These’.

On the album’s title track ‘A New Day’ Tasha adds a reverb stomp pedal to accompany her performance on the electro-acoustic pedal harp. While playing the strings, she drags a rubber mallet down the length of the bass strings, causing the strings to resonate in harmonics for the eery sound heard throughout the introduction. The effect creates an other-worldly sound - like that of the darkness before dawn. ‘A New Day’ begins with a melancholy sadness and transitions to a lively, Brazilian Baiao-inspired rhythm full of hope and exuberance.

The memorable opening track ‘Passion Flower’ was inspired by Tasha encountering this exquisite vine for the first-time during travels through the French town of Perpignan. Tasha was so taken by the flower’s strength and exquisite blossoms, that she composed this piece about it and since this time, the passion flower vine has taken pride of place in Tasha’s home garden.

‘Synergy’ is a pivotal track on the album marking considerable growth for Tasha Smith Godinez as a composer of solo harp music. It is dedicated to Tasha’s mentor and musical partner for many years, Christopher Garcia and was specifically written for the new and special electro-acoustic pedal harp. ‘Synergy’ combines stomp pedal sounds, cymbals, and chimes – all played by the harpist.

‘Look Up’ and ‘Love Is’ are the two compositions with vocals on the album. ‘Look Up’ is a spirited song sung by American musical theatre star singer, Leonard Patton, who has featured in a stream of highly successful musical theatre productions including San Diego’s longest running original musical, MIXTAPE.

The track ‘Love Is’ grew from Tasha asking friends, family and fellow musicians the simple question, and building the song around their answers, which were often sent on mobile phones. Tasha Smith Godinez loves the spontaneity of the recording as on ‘Love Is’, completely improvised for both the vocalist and harpist. 

A NEW DAY was inspired by Tasha’s love of the Celtic harp, nature, family and faith, all with a wider context of the world as it is unfolding today as Tasha explains,

“A NEW DAY is a musical reflection of the world in its current state, my hope for the future and an appreciation for the beauty of creation both in humanity and nature. All the music is inspired by very personal experiences, the people in my life and my faith. When you hear A NEW DAY from start to finish, you’ll hear jazz, world, a little blues and a touch of the avant- garde.”

A NEW DAY is Tasha Smith Godinez’ sixth studio album and was recorded between February and March 2024 at Studio West in San Diego, California. The album is being released through Ennanga Records & Publishing, the vehicle through which Tasha releases original harp compositions for both pedal and lever harps, arrangements by American composers, and recordings of contemporary harp music. It follows on from ‘Postcards From The Soul’ (Ennanga Records, 2014), In The Village Of Hope (Cold Blue label, 2015), HarpCHICK (Ennanga Records, 2020), Metamorphoses (Centaur Records, 2022) and Out Of The Desert (Ennanga Records, 2022).

Tasha Smith Godinez website click here

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Chinese Female Contemporary Jazz Vocal/Composer **Christine Xu **Debut Original Composition Album ''Seek and Find''

Christine Xu, Jazz Vocal/Composer, started from the classical music, knocked on the door of jazz, and labeled ''Seek'' as the theme of her Jazz Composition this time, recording her mood, collecting daily thoughts, and the most suitable outlet for her to express herself has finally spread out and surfaced.

From composing, lyrics writing, arranging to full album independently production, this new generation of female musician's talent is best demonstrated by it. The ability to write singable melodies is an advantage for singers who are also jazz composers. The melodic limitations of her own singing are most suitable for her own singing state, while it is more catchy and easy to model for the audience.

Jazz music allows her to ''Find'' her original voice, willing to reveal those unspeakable internal feelings. The album included five pieces sung without lyrics and in ''onomatopoeia'', in which she believes that her lover's heart and life's energy, which she no longer hides, can be heard. Her story, her sensitivity, is here, and she will sing it for you.

1.  Entrance: Head out

2.  Tranquil: Anxious, lost on the way, and with a feeling of flinch. But it brings me back to my original mood, searching for serenity.

 3. Forest Hills:When I came to New York City, I stayed at a place called 'Forest Hills' and met my landlord, Jennifer, with whom I became good friends, along with her two cats, Bijou (2014-2023) and Arabella. They help me find the rhythm that suits me best.

 4. Ask, Seek, Knock

5. Christine in Wonderland:In a new tempo, I open the adventure of the unknown. I see the flowers and embrace the thorns . . . . . .

6. Love Suffers Long:Love is endurance, not torture. In love there is always tolerance and willingness to give.

7. Can Not Deny:Love happens silently, without reason, and it's the most wonderful thing in the world.

8. Undefined:''      ''

9. From the Rising of the Sun:Sunrise brings 'hope', so that the decayed can find 'new life', the sun always rises, so that life can be stabilized.

10. Exit:Love never fails.

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 PERSONNEL

Vocal - Christine Xu

Guitar - Chris Chen   

Bass  - Wenjun Wu

Drums - Yongheng Wu

ALBUM CREDITS

All compositions and Lyrics by Christine Xu, except for the music part of ''Ask,Seek,Knock’'(04), which is a musician’s improvisation

Arrangements by Christine Xu(01-10), ''Tranquil''(02), ''Christine in Wonderland''(05), ''Love Suffers Long''(06) arrangements by Chris Chen and Christine Xu

Recorded by You Li, Yuhan Zhang, Tong Xing at 55TEC, Beijing, CN(01/April, 22/June/2023, 25/March/2024)

Edited by Yang Li, Yuhan Zhang, YongHeng Wu, Tong Xing, at 55TEC, Beijing, CN

Mixed&Mastered by Dave Darlington at Bass Hit Recording, NYC, USA (03/Sep/2023, 15/April/2024)

Produced by Christine Xu

Graphic designed by Hualiang Zhan

photographed by Guofan Li

Cover makeup by Lei Zhang

Christine Xu received a bachelor’s in Music Education from ZheJiang (China) Conservatory Of Music. After graduation, she studied artistic director in Berlin, Germany.

In 2021, Christine received a master degree in Jazz Studies (Vocal) from Queens College, City University of New York, studied under Jazz musicians Chareneè Wade, David Berkman, Jeb Patton, Dennis Mackrel, Antonio Hart, Michael Mossman, Aubrey Johnson.

Christine’s latest work,“Seek and Find” released June.21.2024, is her debut modern Jazz album, which collected her 10 original compositions. The album was recorded at 55Tec in Beijing by Christine with guitarist Zeran (Chris) Chen, bassist Wenjun (Vino) Wu and drummer Yongheng (Bei Bei) Wu. The album was mixed and mastered by Dave Darlington at Bass Hit Recording in NYC, USA.

Christine has already performed many cities in China. She already played in many major domestic jazz venues in China such as BlueNote Beijing, Jazz at Lincoln Center Shanghai,  EastShore Live Jazz (Beijing), De Factto(Beijing). In 2023, she started her album tour.

Christine’s links here