Following on from the upbeat single ’Runnin’ Wild’, Olivier St.Louis returns to First Word with a brand new track - ‘Confliction’ featuring fellow DC alumni, Oddisee.

This one is on more of a downbeat alternative-soul tip than the previous track, accompanied by Oddisee’s low-slung boom bap beats and bars.

Olivier says of the track “my identity was forged in conflict; From language and spirituality to race, from animism to catholicism. From West African languages to French, from black to white. With each disruption came acceptance, adaptation and rebirth. Change comes for us all. No one is exempt. What will you do when it's your turn?”

Olivier was born in Washington DC of Haitian and Cameroon heritage, but spent his teens studying in the UK. As a teenager, his CD and tape collection would encompass a wide range of genres, from hip hop and r&b to garage and British alternative rock. A bio-science student, Olivier couldn't suppress his true passion for music. After graduating, he took on a "Jekyll and Hyde" lifestyle; working as a scientist in the day, and a musician at night.

His work as a recording artist eventually led to his debut release in 2011, 'The Mr. Saint Louis EP', released under the moniker Olivier Daysoul and also produced by longtime collaborator, Oddisee.

From here on, Olivier began laying down vocals, collaborating and touring with a wide-range of artists over the following years, including Hudson Mohawke, C2C, Laura Mvula and German rockers, AnnenMayKantereit.

After taking a hiatus from feature work, Olivier decided to concentrate on nurturing his own sound. Embracing a newfound love for blues, rock and funk, a series of late night sessions saw him engulfed in new soundscapes, and reverting back to his birth name, Olivier St.Louis. This saw him release two critically-acclaimed EPs with Berlin-based label, Jakarta, and the release of 'The Serious EP' with Bibio on Warp Records.

Following world tours with many of the afore-mentioned, in 2020 Olivier has been working on all-new material for Worldwide Award-winning London label, First Word Records.

When asked his thoughts on his artistry, Olivier St. Louis simply states "no punches pulled, no compromises, just me". 

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released July 10, 2020

Djar One is back with two soulful reworks to stomp your feet !!!
You will be able to order this essential 45 the 1st of May, 2020.
100 PINK copies, 200 classic black copies, No repress !!!

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released May 1, 2020

Reworked, mixed and mastered by Djar One at Beats House Studio, LH.

Papillon is a neo-soul project written in the winter of 2018, in a time of heartbreak, an ending of friendships and beginnings of new chapters.
It speaks of love, storms, channelled wisdom, false friends, domestic violence, declarations of positivity and of a perceived life falling apart.
A collaboration by artists iamlawn and Uglypitch across continents, connected by music.

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released April 8, 2020

Vocals by IamLawn
Produced by The SOULution
Except "Papillon" & ''Chrysalis'' by Born Twice

Picture by Livia Spencer - @lib.spencer
Artwork by Sqreeb

This mix is dedicated to the world amidst these trying times. Especially, to all of those who are feeling unsure of what tomorrow may bring for our loved ones, ourselves and our communities.

I am right there with you family and I hope this music can give you some sort of inspiration to help us all get through these uncertain times. Sending you nothing but love, strength and some funky, soulful medicine music. In solidarity from Mindanao, Philippines to where ever you are on this Planet Earth.

Trust (Y)our Struggle,
Pele

Flevans continues his mission to bring funk magic to the masses. On 'Realisation', he teams up with south coast songstress Laura Vane in the next chapter of a songwriting partnership that has taken clubs and airwaves by storm.

'Realisation' takes the best parts of the groove and feel of 80’s boogie classics and updates them with next level 2020 production skills while an extremely catchy hook makes certain this song will be in your head all year long.

Formerly with Tru Thoughts and now signed to Jalapeno Records - it’s fair to say that Mr Flevans has got a type… that type being Brighton labels with an ear for quality. No need to pop up to London – it’s all right here on his doorstep.

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released February 21, 2020

An ode to 90’s R&B, Amerigo Gazaway and Xiomara’s “1990” album is a nostalgic love letter to an era that redefined the genre. Known for his work reinterpreting classics, Gazaway (most recently tapped by the Miles Davis estate for his work on the lost Rubberband sessions), steps out of his role as a remixer and gives Bay Area artist, Xiomara, the bedrock for her voice to flourish.

With her breakout 2016 release “Seven Nineteen,” Xiomara’s soulful debut took home top rankings in SF Weekly’s “5 Best Bay Area Albums of 2016” list and led to guest spots on releases from Son Little, Blu, and Oh No to name a few. Leaning heavy on Xiomara’s songwriting and arrangement chops, the newly formed duo spent the last year crafting a collaboration as original as it is reminiscent.

Watch the video for "That Old Alarm" here: youtu.be/jdJD78WBNYc

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released November 4, 2019

Soul Mates 2019

Written & Performed by Xiomara
Produced & Mixed by Amerigo Gazaway
Executive Producer: Rickey Mindlin

Post-Production Mixing & Mastering by Art Webb
(thisisartmusic.com)

Additional Credits:

Lyrics written and performed by Blu
(thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com)

Electric Bass, Turntables, Recorder, MIDI Sequencing, Drum Programming, Recorder: Amerigo Gazaway

From the album "All For You" by CRAC.
http://www.kingunderground.com/product/ku-065

Listen to Morning in America by Durand Jones & The Indications #np on #SoundCloud

From the album, "The Red". Coming Nov 29 on KingUnderground. VINYL pre-order 01/11. http://www.kingunderground.com/

2 track album

Record Kicks presents “Record Kicks Summer Soul” a super-hot new DIGITAL ONLY compilation of vintage soul and heavy funk ideal for your scorching summer days. 

A collection of essential deep soul releases from the very best of the Milan based label's roster that contains all the latest singles mixed together with heavy-weight classics and obscure pearls from the vaults. Tracklist includes “Worth It” the brand new singles by Portughese soul sister Marta Ren, “Tell Me Something” by Toronto's soulstress Tanika Charles and “Your Words” by Bordeaux based enfant prodige of Soul Alexis Evans. In the tracklist also classics cuts and obscure pearls like “Everything Better in The Summertime” by Nick Pride & The Pimptones, “Trading Water” by Baby Charles, “Mamacita” by Aussie Dojo Cuts and many more. 


Everything's better in the summertime, isn't it?

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releases July 19, 2019

released January 1, 2016 

Music by NORI THE FUNK BAND (NORI THE FUNK & JAPO)

RELEASE DATE OCTOBER 18TH 2019 

The High Anticipated album by JAY-Z's Soul Hurricane HANNAH WILLIAMS & THE AFFIRMATIONS produced by award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist SHAWN LEE. 

Hannah Williams, British Soul Sensation Sampled By Jay-Z, Stands Tall On New Album '50 Foot Woman' 

Hannah Williams, the British soul hurricane who sensationally became part of Jay-Z's chart-topping 4:44 album, is primed and ready for her own national and international breakthrough. 

Williams turned heads worldwide when the hip-hop superstar sampled her heart-stopping vocals on 'Late Nights & Heartbreak' for the title track, ‘4.44’ on his 2017 album. Now Hannah and her exemplary, Bristol-based band the Affirmations deliver a definitive career statement with the drop-dead soulful new album 50 Foot Woman which will be released October 18th on the Milan based imprint Record Kicks. 

The album captures all of the visceral power of the band's increasingly legendary live performances. Shades of classic Soul and Psychedelic Funk blend uniquely with modern-day flavours on a record destined to set the soul agenda for 2019 and far beyond. “I've...  more

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releases October 7, 2019 

Hannah Williams & The Affirmations are: 
Hannah Williams – Main Vocal 
James Graham – Wurlitzer, Piano, Organ 
Adam Newton – Bass 
Adam Holgate – Guitar 
Jai Widdowson-Jones – Drums, Percussion 
Victoria Klewin – Backing Vocals 
Hannah Nicholson – Backing Vocals 
Liam Treasure – Trombone 
Tom Taylor – Baritone Saxophone 

All tracks written by J. Graham, accept Track 3, written by V. Klewin and J. Grahm, Track 6 written by V. Klewin and Track 8 written by A. Holgate and J. Graham. 
Produced by Shawn Lee 
Recorded at Ata Studios, Leeds February – March 2019 by Neil Innes.
Mixed at Trans-Yank Studio, London by Pierre Du Plan and Shawn Lee. 
Mastered at Golden Studio, Ventura CA by JJ Golden.