The London Soul Scene has a lot to offer. Year after year new soul singers are being born be it from the big City or from odd small villages in and around England.

In this feature on Soul Tracks I hope to introduce my discoveries to Soul Tracks readers.

This month I am making an introduction to Zarif, Zara McFarlane, Sky Montique, and Kaana Ellie.

Zarif

Zarif has just signed to a major label, RCA Records. Zarif's musical influences vary from Aretha Franklin, Outkast, Jamie Lidell, Teena Marie, to say a few. Zarif has collaborated with The Nextmen, and then went on to tour and perform with The Nextmen. Zarif is getting ready to release her debut album (the album title I cannot find), on major label RCA Records, here in the UK. Zarif song writes and sings, and grew up in London listening to soul, funk and even rock. Aspiring to include a bit of everything in her unique and intense sound.

Currently Zarif is doing the gig circuit.

www.myspace.com/zarifmusic

Zara McFarlane

Another London artist is Zara McFarlane (another Z artist), currently a vocalist for Dune Music's sister company and jazz collective, Tomorrow's Warriors. This jazz collective features Zara McFarlane on vocals, touring and working under Dune Music super jazzy musical vision.

Zara McFarlane represents jazz, reggae and other styles of music that by the end of the listening session, you feel nostalgia and re-introduced to a modern day Billie Holiday. Talking of Ms. Holiday, Zara McFarlane recently did a Billie Holiday tribute at Jazz Café. At the moment Zara McFarlane is recording with a jazz quartet.

www.myspace.com/zaramcfarlane

The third London female artist or singer and songwriter I want to introduce you to, is working with Tony Ozier and several American producers.

Sky Montique

She is called Sky Montique.

Sky Montique is working on her first album, with carefully selected producers credit list that will make Sky Montique a new rising soul jazz star in London. Sky Monitque will also make way for the music movement in London called nu-jazz, again the soft-tones of Sky Montique will make one feel a release of pleasure as it brings memories back of Billie Holiday and you feel a sense of comfort hearing Sky Montique sing.

From South East London Sky Montique has a lot to offer and has American appeal. There is a great comparison to Erykah Badu but Sky Montique is definitely holding her own.

Her musical influences include Al Green, Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill and so on.

www.myspace.com/skymontiquemusic

Kaana Ellie

Kaana Ellie from London and her band The Remedies sound fresh and her voice sounds shockingly mature for such a young lady. Her vocals push the likes of Beverly Knight and Estelle aside.

Kaana Ellie represents the new generation of British soul and funk, with a totally London sound and London lyrical phrasing.

Pinches of dance and hip-hop can be heard, as her influences include Omar to Amy Winehouse.

Kaana Ellie and The Remedies are to be looked out for this year.

www.myspace.com/kaanaellie

Personal Notes         

To read more of my music journalism work, order the 9^th or 11^th copy of The Soul Survivors Magazine, where I interviewed Joy Denalane and reviewed Mary J Blige latest album Growing Pains. I also write for http://www.flyglobalmusic.com/. I am also partially responsible for http://www.justsoul.net/ acting as content and contact manager since 2003-2005 and in 2007 I launched http://www.feelthesoul.co.uk/.

In 2008 I manage Soulisms-PR
"Real Independent Soul"
http://www.soulisms.wordpress.com/
www.myspace.com/soulismspr
matthewrhysdaniel@hotmail.co.uk

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