(April 25, 2021) When a producer doubles as an artist, they always look for an extension of their vision. JazzyD’s extensive vision on his podcasts covers hip-hop, house, and everything in between through mesmerizing music sets. And the producer/multi-instrumentalist from Perth, Australia meshes sophisticated jazz and soul presented by cool independent vocalists and songwriters like Jay Nemor and Amber Sweeney. All this is why JazzyD has garnered the respect of SoulTracks readers on several First Listen installments. In fact, one of his biggest fans is Sophia Ripley - the U.K. artist who charted #7 on The Indie Soul Chart for her maxi single in 2017, “Little Girl,” and who just happens to partner with JazzyD on his latest appearance for First Listen entitled “Free.”
(April 25, 2021) When a producer doubles as an artist, they always look for an extension of their vision. JazzyD’s extensive vision on his podcasts covers hip-hop, house, and everything in between through mesmerizing music sets. And the producer/multi-instrumentalist from Perth, Australia meshes sophisticated jazz and soul presented by cool independent vocalists and songwriters like Jay Nemor and Amber Sweeney. All this is why JazzyD has garnered the respect of SoulTracks readers on several First Listen installments. In fact, one of his biggest fans is Sophia Ripley - the U.K. artist who charted #7 on The Indie Soul Chart for her maxi single in 2017, “Little Girl,” and who just happens to partner with JazzyD on his latest appearance for First Listen entitled “Free.”
On choosing Sophia for the new song, JazzyD recalls: “After following Sophia's musical career for a couple of years, I could hear certain tones in her voice that reminded me of Eryka Badu. She also had such a great ability to write meaningful deep lyrics.”
The story of the song centers on a promising relationship that turns sour, yet the main character discovers that loving one-self is the key when all is said and done. Besides this engrossing narrative, “Free” possesses the full musical package - from caressing vocal beds to a sea of peaceful keyboards, all anchored by solid grooves and capped by a touching trumpet solo from Will Allen. Overall, JazzyD, Sophia Ripley and the backing band including Allen, composer/pianist Marco Gnoatto and bass guitarist Ezequiel Rivas paint a soulfully positive picture on how being “Free” feels and sounds like. Take a listen.
By Peggy Oliver