Club | R&B | Partybreaks 6 Items

Extra Soul Perception is a collaboration and community music platform which started life between the UK, Kenya and Uganda, and continues to grow and connect independent musicians worldwide. In November 2019, eight artists from Kenya, Uganda and the UK spent a week in Nairobi together exploring new tangents in soul music, the result was their 2020 debut EP 'New Tangents In Kampala, London & Nairobi Vol. 1'.
The growing collective is made up of Faizal Mostrixx (ug), Hibotep (ug), K15 (uk), Karun (ke), Labdi (ke), Lex Amor (uk), Lynda Dawn (uk) and Maxwell Owen (uk). Now with the with the addition of Itsmdnyt (ug), XL Middleton (us), Xenia Menasseh (ke), Sola (uk) and Azu Tiwaline (tun), the collective are preparing to release their album 'New Tangents in Kampala, London and Nairobi', released 25th March.

Three years in the making, work started on the album at a writing camp in Nairobi, and was completed remotely over the course of the worldwide lockdowns of 2020 and 2021. The album celebrates the potential of collaboration, both in a physical and digital sense.
Innovators in their own fields, each artist brings unique knowledge and musical culture to the project, collectively they represent a broad spectrum of sound. The album reflects this via an inspiring mixture of beautiful soul, glitchy beats, spoken word and bumping instrumentals. Embracing the same values of the writing camp but through virtual collaborations, seeing 'soul' as much in the spiritual sense as the musical one, expanding the sound into new territories.

In a world full of mash ups and cover versions and "first time on a 45" releases, Premier League Pressings is here to sort the wheat from the chaff and take you into the top tier of cheeky releases. Side A - THE Belmont Shadows - Kiss HIM Goodbye The first Premier League Pressing features one of the best known tracks in popular culture. The Belmont Shadows beef up an acapella version with cuts and beats from one of the top DJ's and Producers on the West Coast. Back of the net! Side B - Wilson DN - Kiss HIM Goodbye On the flip PLP score again with a tough breakbeat-heavy Latin version that has never been on a 45. One of those creative playmaker types from Brazil! Curling around the wall into the top corner of the net, Premier League Pressings have delivered their first victory. Look forward to more dominant performances!

Last chance, last pressing.

Cleo Sol - Rose in the Dark is the debut studio album by British singer-songwriter Cleo Sol, released on March 27, 2020. The album was produced by Inflo, who is also a key figure in the Sault collective. Rose in the Dark established Cleo Sol as a powerful voice in neo-soul and modern R&B, offering a soothing and reflective collection of songs that explore themes of love, self-discovery, and resilience.

The album blends soul, R&B, jazz, and folk influences, marked by warm, organic instrumentation with a retro feel, featuring lush strings, gentle piano, and smooth rhythms. Cleo Sol's voice is central to the album's sound, with its soft, emotional delivery giving the tracks an intimate and reflective tone.

Lyrically, Rose in the Dark centers on themes of love, personal growth, self-worth, and healing. The songs are largely introspective, with Cleo Sol reflecting on relationships and personal challenges, often with a focus on finding inner strength. There’s a sense of vulnerability and emotional honesty throughout the album, which resonates deeply with listeners.

Key Tracks:
"Rose in the Dark" – The title track, a soulful and introspective song about navigating love and finding inner peace.
"Why Don’t You" – A standout track that combines a classic soul sound with a modern twist, addressing themes of self-worth and being true to oneself.
"When I’m in Your Arms" – A tender, love-infused track that showcases Cleo Sol’s ability to capture the warmth and comfort of love through her soulful voice and minimalist production.
"Her Light" – A reflective track about empowerment and self-awareness, encouraging self-love and growth.
Critical Reception: Rose in the Dark was met with widespread acclaim from critics who praised Cleo Sol's soothing voice, the album's timeless sound, and the introspective lyricism. Many noted the calming and healing quality of the album, especially during its release in 2020, a year marked by uncertainty and upheaval. The minimalist production allowed Cleo Sol's vocals and lyrical content to shine, making the album a standout in contemporary soul music.

The album was produced by Inflo, who has been instrumental in shaping the sound of both Cleo Sol’s solo work and the output of the Sault collective. Rose in the Dark shares the same organic, soulful production style found in Sault’s albums, though it feels more intimate and personal due to its focus on Cleo Sol's own journey.

Rose in the Dark has been hailed as a modern soul classic, with its focus on healing, love, and emotional clarity resonating with a wide audience. It’s a highly personal work that highlights Cleo Sol’s talent not only as a vocalist but also as a thoughtful and introspective songwriter.

This album set the stage for her later work, including Mother (2021), where she continued exploring deeply personal and emotional themes