Turn It Up

Azekel’s New R&B Feeling

February 7, 2013 0 Comments

Having participated in the rapturous reception to Solange’s live show in San Francisco on Tuesday night (complete with “Losing You” sing-along), we’ve not much longer to wait until the new R&B movement breaches the mainstream. There’s an audience hungry for more. And if Frank Ocean collects a few Grammys as widely anticipated on Sunday night, the tide will have turned in R&B’s favor.

AzekelNewcomers like Azekel will surely benefit from having more eyes and ears on the burgeoning scene. In January, I featured his excellent slow-jam cover of T. Rex’s “Get It On”. Now take a listen to the double-A side single coming from the Nigeria-born, East London-based singer-songwriter, coming in a couple of weeks.

The minimalist soul of “That Feeling” has an unguarded stream of consciousness feel and guitar groove reminiscent of Exile In Guyville-era Liz Phair. On “A Song To An Unborn Child,” Ezekel has birthed something quite special, a chopped-and-screwed ballad that carries unexpected emotional resonance thanks to its unique target.

Azekel – “That Feeling” / “A Song To An Unborn Child” arrives February 25 on THNDRLGHTNG Recordings.