EAR TO THE GROUND
UP-AND-COMING ARTISTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
Ear to the Ground
Melodies and rhythms that nod to the likes of Joni Mitchell, Gil Scott-Heron and Dayme Arocena, sit Ludi’s Eye somewhere between Afro-Latin jazz and singer-songwriter soul music...
...the perfect combination of soulful inflections, considered pop production and truly heartfelt songwriting...
In a world where many DJs have developed a focus on finding the rarest of disco, afrobeat and jazz-funk records, Boko! Boko! are really switching things up.
Born out of South East-London via the cosmos, they channel spiritual jazz of the highest order.
Following Burial, Synkro and Holy Other, Prayer creates music soaked in emotion and cinematic gravity.
Raw vocals, delicate jazz guitar and politically conscious lyrics; Oscar Jerome is the songwriter that the UK scene has been waiting for.
Poppy Ajudha is a name you better get used to: her vocals and songwriting talents cover an impressive amalgamation of influences ranging from jazz to garage to house to neo-soul.
Maisha fuse their unique brand of jazz with West African and Afro beat rhythms. A live act not to be missed, with more recordings on the way.
Suma Sound’s 7k rig and killer selections are exactly what you need to power your party.
Together, their blend of neo-soul strikes the perfect balance between fresh and nostalgic, making for a sound that’s reminiscent of trailblazers Erykah Badu and D’Angelo, while incorporating the very best of contemporary UK hip-hop and R&B production.
Nubya Garcia brings her own style, perspective and sound to her playing that encapsulates the diverse influences that have defined the new wave of jazz sweeping across the UK today.
Shy One has been knocking around for a few years with her dizzying UK funky productions. Definitely one to watch out for.
Yazz Ahmed's latest record is shrouded in mystery, but it’s set to be a psychedelic exploration of Arabic jazz, drawing on Yazz’s Bahraini heritage.
Maxwell Owin has three artists he cites on his facebook as influences: Burial, Bill Evans, and J Dilla. This could not be a more accurate summary of the sounds he creates.
Yusufla marry the moody side of jazz with funk to create a sound that is wholly their own.
John Haycock takes the kora's beautiful sound and adds percussive elements, woodwinds and a range of effects to create a unique and immersive sound palette.
Plume weave rich melodies into complex, pulsing polyrhythms – locating a sweet spot between texture, experimentation and groove.
A hip-hop infused reinterpretation of jazz for contemporary audiences that sits next to the L.A. sounds of Robert Glasper, Thundercat and BadBadNotGood.
Imagine the jazz funk fusion of Donald Byrd combined with Dilla inspired breaks and vocals that sonically and melodically evoke Jamiroquai...
Thinkpiece are a three-piece trip hop inspired outfit based in London. They seamlessly combine the organic band setup with a refined electronic presence, resulting in the production of a developed and polished sound.
Giobia draw on the 70s psychedelic rock of the likes of Goblin, Gong and Kyuss, to which they add a gritty hint of stoner - dark bass lines and harsh guitar riffs.
The delicate sound of British-Nigerian, Tony Njoku, is a tender display of songwriting talent. His EP, To Escape, is a pleasure to listen to...
Drones, heavy reverb, slack beats and extended guitar solos abound - transcendent music for the cosmically aware.
The mystery surrounding this enigmatic artist has only built the hype for what’s next and we can’t wait.
Imagine combining the sentimental songwriting skills of Richard Hawley, the synth driven angst of Joy Division, and the delicate soundscapes of Mazzy Star. Somehow, after all of that, you’re left with J Churcher.