All the Latest Music News on Nagamag

The phrase 'The Day Before Tomorrow' is Zen-like koan designed to make us reflect on our real life, on what is actually happening in the here and now. The photograph that inspired the piece depicts a black tulip. Nothing is more perishable than a flower. If we are always thinking about what will happen in the future then we miss the beauty right in front of our eyes.

This track is from the new album ‘Stories in Slow Light. It was recorded at Swallow Studios in Smallwood and features members of the string section of the Northern Film Orchestra.

https://www.instagram.com/giftsfromcrows/

Artist said about this song:

"I wrote this song a couple of summers ago, and it’s really about trying to assert yourself, to yourself- and to shed burdening other people. There will always be self-doubt when starting this journey, which is peppered throughout the song. I produced it to sound like some long-lost nugget, ending with a ramshackle, campfire-like jam."

https://www.instagram.com/j_j_slater

Eric Bolton's second track revealed from his upcoming album. This song is a step outside the main rock focus of his last couple songs and into a more meditative and contemplative world. While it is a brand new release it was actually written a few years ago in a very tough time of burnout from a lot of life's pressures. This song was a part of learning to step back and gaining relief. Bolton's 15 song album is coming in September 2022.

https://www.facebook.com/EBoltn/

For the last decade, Zion I Kings, comprised of Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred of I Grade Records, Andrew “Moon” Bain of Lustre Kings and David “Jah D” Goldfine” of Zion High Productions, have delivered some of the finest and most indelible musical offerings to date in modern reggae. Adding to their success, the trio have created a dynamically rich lagoon themed dub, “Red Gold & Green Dubmarine” is out now, and off their 5th studio album Future Oceans Echo! Save and download new single here: https://lustrekings.ffm.to/redgoldandgreendubmarine

With the new record the listener is taken into an aquatic dub-filled wonderland with streaming proceeds to benefit climate action for oceans and beaches in the Virgin Islands. “Red Gold & Green Dubmarine,” opens with the bubble-like sensation that carries the dark, driving drum and bass groove into a fervent quest of discovery, opening up to a bright, underwater dub lagoon in the B-section. Andrew Moon Bain declares, “A triumphant and courageous aquatic exploration of uncharted territories, in the dub abyss that is Future Oceans Echo. Press play, add or next and buckle up for the magical horn swells, crashing spring reverbs, analog synth lines and pulsing organ shuffle on this dubaquatic excursion.” The new song is the second release from the upcoming album and comes out on the heels of the stellar single “Whale Shark Skank” featuring the talented Ngoni player Losso Keita.

With the new release Zion I Kings have pledged a percentage of their streaming profits from Future Oceans Echo to support clean oceans and beaches initiatives in St. Croix, VI, with the Good Hope Country Day School’s climate action club. Laurent “Tippy” Alfred’s daughter Tsehai attends the school and is very active with the club. It’s a student-founded and student run organization whose mission aims for a more sustainable environment for the island community.

In a recent interview with Rootfire, Andrew Moon Bain reflected on the new project when asked if artists felt a responsibility toward the plight of the Oceans, he says, “I don’t know if artists have a responsibility but we all have to live here. We are all connected to one source of life, one planet and atmosphere…all of us depend on it. Whether we feel a part of it or not. It is all connected. A lot of people can’t understand what they can’t see. Can’t feel for what they can not touch. Whether it is my responsibility or not, I do feel a duty to uncover some overstanding of the unknown through art, music and the glorification of Jah.”

Zion I Kings is the talented multi-instrumentalists and producers Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred of I Grade Records, Andrew “Moon” Bain of Lustre Kings and David “Jah D” Goldfine” of Zion High Productions. Together they are an ever prolific and expanding crew of producers, musicians and performers whose work has spanned many waves within the genre to create a solid and unique modern roots sound that is infectious, warm, melodic and steady in any sound system. They are singular as much as a collective, as each musician has spent formative years honing their craft. Collectively they have produced for many great artists of our day including Akae Beka (Midnite) , Sizzla, Lutan Fyah, Jah 9, Blakkamoore, Chronixx, Protoje, Loydd Brown, Ziggi Recado, Pressure and many more.

https://lustrekings.ffm.to/redgoldandgreendubmarine

https://www.facebook.com/zionikings

https://www.instagram.com/zionikings/?hl=en

A yearning melancholic piece, ideally to be played on a lonely bandstand in a windy autumn park. Equally suited to the comfort of your own home. It is a wash of metallic effects with several cello parts, bass and keyboards.

This song is a great Afrobeat mix. It’s a blend of an upbeat inspirational soul vibe with a light-hearted Afropop feel. A beautiful video from artists village in Ghana.

Artist said about this song:

"Our new track, “Love After The Pain” is an up-tempo duet about being in the moment and the realization that no matter the challenges we face that on the other side there is always love.

What inspired us when we were writing “Love After The Pain” was the realization that to get to those moments of joy in our life we tend to have to go through some challenges and learn some things along the way to get there, and that it’s not always easy but it’s always worth it. We wanted this song to convey hope, that at the end of it all, there is always a light at the end.

Originally “Love After The Pain” was a much slower song but once we got in the studio it felt like it was missing something, that music didn’t match the story of hope. So we upped the tempo and it really catched the vibe we wanted, especially the ending which we viewed as this euphoric moment of just getting past the pain to the love.

One fun aspect of recording this song was us revisiting our junior high school band days and getting out our old trombone and flute out to build out a bit of horn section, we were both rusty but had a blast reconnecting with our musical past and bringing it into the present, overall this song allowed us to really kick loose and have some fun."

https://www.twolatetotheparty.com/

Next up on Walk Of Shame Records is a collaboration between Swedish vocal talent May Yamani and the label boss himself, Per QX.

Turning Blind Faith’s hippie classic ‘Can’t Find My way Home’ into a Precious Love-inspired house tune, expect some serious hands-in-air dance vibes this summer.

https://www.facebook.com/perqx

https://www.instagram.com/perqx_

One of the fastest rising British male artists of 2022, Sam Tompkins releases the ‘who do you pray to’ EP alongside emotive visuals for new single ‘My Brother’ today.

With a host of stellar singles already released from the EP; including ‘Whole’, ‘Bloodline’ and ‘Hero’; Sam honed his craft across the collection of 7 tracks revealing his unique voice as a songwriter instilled in the narrative arc of his songs.

New single ‘My Brother’ encapsulates his intimate story telling style, as Sam notes; ‘My Brother is really special to me. I love it so much. The origin of it is actually a sad but lovely story. When I was about 18, we lost our Nana and at the funeral we had to read the eulogy. I got about 6 words in before being in floods of tears, my brother read the rest and was so strong. Flash forward to last year when my Papa (Grandpa) passed away and I decided to do the eulogy. Sadly because of covid my brother couldn’t make it as he was working away in Canada. This time I got the whole way through it and I remember getting the text from my brother who watched it through a live stream that I smashed it and I felt so proud because the only way I was able to do it was knowing I was the exact age my brother had stepped up and been brave 5 years prior.”

Sam Tompkins is a force to be reckoned with; following his own critically acclaimed singles, the TikTok trending collaboration with Jnr Choi ‘To The Moon’; a string of viral videos including impressive covers shared via TikTok and grass-roots touring; he has garnered over 11 million monthly listeners on Spotify and amassed a colossal online audience which has grown exponentially over the past year.

The release of this debut body of work is set to cement Sam’s status as one of the year’s most exciting new artists. His music has already been praised by the likes of MTV, Clash, BBC, and Notion; played across BBC Radio 1 by Jack Saunders, Scott Mills, Clara Amfo, Ricky, Melvin and Charlie, and featured on flagship Spotify editorial playlists.

Matching pop touches to a classic feel, he’s often compared to SamFender’s anthemic truth-seeking or Tom Walker’s revelatory autobiography. Yet Sam’s work stands alone and is already scaling mountainous heights. His music digs deep, explores the key topics in his life and communicates emotions we all feel, but sometimes can’t put into words.

Elton John and Shawn Mendes are fans, pop phenomenon Bebe Rexha has co-signed his work, while Justin Bieber is a prominent supporter. The two recently hung out in LA, while a video of Justin singing Sam’s single ‘Whole’ has gained more than 2 million views –and counting. Closer to home, JayKae jumped onstage on Sam’s last tour, and renowned UK artists Krept & Konan, Chip and Clean Bandit are fans.

Such a broad spread of support simply represents his audience as a whole; there’s a literal army of TikTok followers moving alongside him, with Sam amassing almost a half million followers on Instagram –that’s more than some very established artists. In fact, he already has more Instagram followers than some winners at the BRITs last year.

Selling out every venue he puts his name against, Sam’s live prowess stretches across Europe. Next month Sam will be one of the first UK artists to tour Europe in a bus since the pandemic hit as he heads out on a mammoth European tour, containing a packed out Kentish Town Forum date on the 8th April.

From his humble beginnings busking on the streets of Brighton, EP‘who do you pray to?’ is set to continue Sam’s momentum and rise on the international pop stage.

https://www.instagram.com/samtompkinsuk/

Artist said about this song:

" 'Changes' is a particularly special song to me. I wrote this one on the evening my twins were born. I'd spent the whole pregnancy petrified about becoming a dad but the moment we finally met all my negative thoughts were pushed out, as if there was no space left. I was completely filled with love.

I wanted to make the production fit the sentiment; I used the heartbeat from our ultrasound as the foundations of the song and the backing vocals are done by my wife."

http://www.johnadamsmusic.co.uk/