It can be disturbingly easy to believe all the artist and media proclamations that R&B is dead, especially when one looks at the commercial sales of recent grown folks albums with serious radio hits. Yet all around the globe there are still new young voices coming from a generation of unsung talents who still believe, tomorrow stars who are still lending their voices to this beloved institution called R&B and Soul music. One of those voices is Indonesian singer Teza Sumendra.
It can be disturbingly easy to believe all the artist and media proclamations that R&B is dead, especially when one looks at the commercial sales of recent grown folks albums with serious radio hits. Yet all around the globe there are still new young voices coming from a generation of unsung talents who still believe, tomorrow stars who are still lending their voices to this beloved institution called R&B and Soul music. One of those voices is Indonesian singer Teza Sumendra.
That’s right, Indonesian soul! Singing in English with a naturally gruff yet smooth instrument, Teza illustrates that he’s the real deal on covers of John Legend, Musiq Soulchild, and Jill Scott he’s shared with thousands of followers on Soundcloud and YouTube. The season three Indonesian Idol contestant is gearing up for the fourth quarter release of his debut LP. In the meantime, we’re left to groove to this teaser for his lead single, “I Want You, Love.” As long as fresh talent like this still believes in the international endurance of new soul, who am I to disagree?
By L. Michael Gipson