First Listen: Leela James is “Right On Time” with new single
(May 12, 2025) Leela James’ music entered into my listening radar beginning with the blazing funky dance track, “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” from the 2012 release, Loving You More…In the Spirit of Etta James. While the Etta tribute took some liberties in the arrangements from the original versions, Leela successfully channeled one of […]
First Listen: Setoria wants to “Love You More”
(May 9, 2025) DC-based singer Setoria has been making a name for herself both for her original music and her interpretations of hit songs of the past few decades. And she has been a regular on SoulTracks for nearly a decade, with one tasty single after another. On her newest release, “Love You More,” Setoria delivers a […]
Cool Million and Seest team on tasty “One of a Kind”
(May 8, 2025) Claus Seest spent the better part of a decade lending his vocal talents to international releases before competing on Denmark’s edition of X Factor and independently releasing a Danish-language soul album of his own. In the time since, he has continued to collaborate with a number of acts, notably writing and featuring […]
First Listen: Newcomer HJ Soul shows out for his debut
(May 8, 2025) I recently read an article from a writer who claimed there is a dearth of music with meaningful lyrics released these days. That might be the case for many mainstream artists, be indie artists, particularly those working in the soul and R&B genres, are reaching deeply into the human experience as they […]
World Premiere: Jr. Thomas “Can’t Leave You Alone”
(May 7, 2025) Minnesota-born singer-songwriter Junior Thomas aka Thomas McDowall, the proud frontman for the Jr. Thomas & the Volcanos, grew up appreciating ska, rocksteady and reggae. With two independently-released albums – 2015’s Beware and 2018’s Rockstone – the Southern California collective aspired to capture the “golden era” of Jamaican music. But for the next act, Thomas is going solo and […]
First Listen: Ann Nesby and Calvin Richardson vow to “Stay Together”
(May 6, 2025) Ann Nesby is a singer who fans know will deliver some good, old-fashioned soul sanging. Nesby has been holding it down for bringing power packed and unabashedly soulful vocals to whatever she sings, from the time she became a household name with The Sounds of Blackness. She puts her distinctive vocal imprint on the New […]
First Look Video: Eric Roberson and BJ The Chicago Kid ask “Where You Gonna Go?”
(May 5, 2025) For the years I’ve followed the works and career of Neo-Soul leader Eric Roberson, he’s never failed to impress. For the past 20 plus years, Eric has released 17 albums independently, while earning many accolades along the way. Grammy nominations, honors from BET and other platforms are just collective icings on a delicious […]
First Listen: The glorious return of Stephanie Mills
(May 5, 2025) Classic R&B fans got a treat when they found out that Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, and Stephanie Mills are joining forces for the QUEENS TOUR, beginning May 9th. Fans of these legendary ladies are more than happy to see them in concert based on the hits they had during the […]
The 5to8s are “Falling Deeper” with cool new single
(May 4, 2025) Over a year ago, First Listen showcased the Godfather of Scandinavian Soul, Jonas Rendbo, celebrating his 50th birthday by gifting a lavish love song to his wife, “You Are Amazing.” But there is more artistry flowing through this singer/songwriter besides his impressive two-decade solo recording reign. As a co-vocalist with The 5to8’s, […]
First Listen: Carvin Winans of The Winans gives us a “Shining Star”
(May 2, 2025) There are few acts in the history of Gospel music that have had the impact of the legendary family group The Winans. Combining messages of faith with contemporary R&B sounds, The Winans of the 1980s burst open the door to urban radio, helping the subsequent crossover success of Gospel artists ranging from […]
