Shortlisted in the BBC Sound 2022 and supported by tastemaker airplay from Radio 1, BBC Asian Network, 1Xtra and 6 Music, Priya Ragu is poised to achieve a major breakthrough.
 
The next step in her ascent comes with the blissful new single ‘Illuminous’, which elevates the joyous Raguwavy vibe that made her debut mixtape ‘damnshestamil’ so special. Priya’s Tamil heritage once again proudly takes centre-stage, most notably in her distinctive vocal cadence which weaves effortlessly through silky R&B and vibrant electro beats to create a unique sonic tapestry. The song is again the result of her creative collaboration with her brother and producer Japhna Gold.
  
‘Illuminous’ is a bold statement of intent as Priya prepares for a big year ahead. She will play her biggest headline show to date at London’s Scala on April 21st, while her burgeoning summer festival schedule includes The Great Escape, Primavera, and End of the Road.

Thee Xponent is a knowledge sharing and exposure driven podcast. Ear hustle, as global Xponents' speak to their music, books, business launch, organization, causes, listening projects, community endeavors, and cultural moves.
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"Life is an experimental dive, leap with curiosity into the ether and live a sound life"-Jrap.

www.acidjazz.co.uk

Formed back in the heady days of 1987 at the start of the ‘acieed’ explosion, Acid Jazz was the first of the groundbreaking new indie labels and paved the way for the likes of Mo Wax, Wall Of Sound and Talkin' Loud…

Initially a simple bedroom operation established by Eddie Piller and Gilles Peterson, within three months of the first 45 release (Galliano’s Frederic Lies Still), the label had grown rapidly, acquired premises in London’s east end and laid out a unique manifesto of alternative club sounds – jazz, street-soul, funk, latin, reggae and jazz poetry all put in an early appearance. Galliano, Chris Bangs, The Night Trains, The Last Poets, A Man Called Adam and Snowboy & The Latin Section were amongst the first wave of label signings and they all appeared live at groundbreaking jazz themed nights at London clubs like the WAG in Soho and Camden’s legendary Dingwalls.





By ’89, Peterson had left the label to establish his own Talking Loud imprint and Piller soon moved the operation to Denmark Street, London’s original Tin Pan Alley, into the former EMI music office. The next wave of signings included D Influence, Jamiroquai and The Brand New Heavies. Chart success quickly followed as the label spread its numerous tentacles around the world. The sound of the label became the name of choice for the scene that had established in its wake and by the early ’90s, Acid Jazz was booming out of a succession of speakers from Sweden to Singapore, Hamburg to Hobart, Shibuya to Sheffield and everywhere in between. International tours followed as the label expanded through the 90′s, gradually increasing their musical influences to include daisy-age hip hop, garage psyche and trip hop.





By the mid-90′s Acid Jazz had revived the careers of legends like Terry Callier, Brian Auger and Gregory Isaacs, established three subsidiaries (Focus, All Seeing Eye and Roots to cater for progressive indie, drum and bass and roots and culture respectively) and signed yet another wave of successful independent artists which included the likes of Corduroy, Mother Earth, The Humble Souls, Goldbug and a dozen more.





In 1994, the label took the plunge and opened the first ‘non-house’ based night club in London. Based on the site of the Bass Clef, a down-at-heel and eventually semi-derelict jazz club in Hoxton – perched precariously amidst the second world war bomb sites, derelict buildings and culture-free zone, the club was credited with paving the way for the whole Hoxton/Shoreditch explosion of the late nineties. Indeed, the club was rarely less than full seven nights a week hosting events from the likes of Goldie’s Metalheads, Talvin Singh, Coldcut, Ab-ashanti, Athletico and the label’s own Magic Bus. The Blue Note closed its doors at the end of the decade and Acid Jazz went back to what they do best: releasing records.

Jumping forward to 2014 and we find the label firmly ensconced in their office at the top of Brick Lane and after celebrating their 25th Anniversary the label is as vibrant and vital as ever. The current roster includes the critically acclaimed, prog folk fusions of Matt Berry, new indie hopefuls Dexters, the soul meet the Streets stylings of New Street Adventure and ex Bluetones lead singer Mark Morriss, whilst the highly acclaimed Rare Mod series has discovered and released previously unknown works by everyone from The Riot Squad featuring David Bowie to the Small Faces Steve Marriott.

In short after over a quarter of a century Acid Jazz remains one of the UK’s most important independent labels.


linktr.ee/itsreubenjames

Fast-emerging British singer, songwriter and pianist Reuben James’ virtuoso jazz techniques and soulful, evocative voice have led him to be widely regarded as one the most exciting and creatively assured artists to have emerged in recent years.

Although perhaps best known for his ongoing collaborations with Sam Smith, which have included co-writing songs for Smith’s 4 million-selling album The Thrill of It All, James has written for and performed with an array of international star acts including the likes of Joni Mitchell, Brandi Carlile, Tori Kelly, Little Mix, Disclosure and Liam Payne amongst many others.

Reuben has been working on his own material, exploring the boundaries between jazz and pop. His debut EP Adore landed to critical acclaim in 2019 and his new EP Slow Down is due for release in June 2020.

welcome to the cloud kingdom 💜🪽💒☁️

Equal Justice Initiative has documented the lynchings of over 4,000 African Americans between 1877 and 1950. In this series, hear how this era of racial terror lynchings continues to shape America to this day.

STUCK IN THE CLOUDS
Sampa The Great, A Zambian Poet and singer-songwriter who expresses through music and poetry.

mgmt@sampathegreat.com
BOOKINGS
Australia: james@nicheproductions.com.au
Europe: kazia@echolocationtalent.com
North America: brian@highroadtouring.com

A Poor Righteous Teacher, lyricist, activist. i believe as a member of oppressed people  its necessary to create soul hip hop with history of my people and their contributions to be constantly present. i create music from my soul not simply as it exists today but as it did when my ancestors used it. the roots of my ancestors  are embedded in all my lyrics and Allah prevails over all. Freedom Lands!!!


The Mission of Jazz at Lincoln Center is to Entertain, Enrich and Expand a Global Community For Jazz Through Performance, Education and Advocacy.

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