Singer / songwriter Raleigh Ritchie has been grabbing our attention since 2013 when he released his debut EP, ‘The Middle Child‘. Two EP’s, sold out gigs and lots of anticipation later today he drops his debut album entitled, ‘You’re a Man Now Boy‘.

Undeniably distinctive, Raleigh delivers 18 highly personal, self penned tracks on the album, blending a perfect balance of vulnerability and accessibility on each song. Whilst tracks like, ‘You’re a Man Now Boy‘ and ‘Never Better‘ provide insights into Raleigh’s private life, others such as ‘The Last Romance‘ and ‘The Chased‘ play out like stories that listeners are taken on a journey for. There are lots of upbeat, fun moments too with tracks like ‘Keep it Simple‘ which features Stormzy and ‘The Greatest‘.

The slick production of the album comes from the likes of DJ Dahi, Sounwave, Chris Loco and more. If you want to fully appreciate the beauty of this album, takes some time and really listen, Raleigh Ritchie is not making background music with this album, it is a truly creative piece of work and an impressive, impactful debut.

@CarlyMond

Two years ago I interviewed Eric Roberson for a soul magazine when he gave me the insanely exciting news that he and long term collaborator Phonte (Foreign Exchange, Little Brother) were heading to the studio together to record a collaboration album!

Whilst we have all been patiently waiting, hoping it wasn’t an empty promise, it seems that Erro and Phonte HAVE been in the studio and the album is set for release on the 22nd of July on Erro’s own label, Blue Erro Soul.

No title has been announced yet but we’ll keep you posted of any more info and hopefully some tour dates!

@CarlyMond

For us RnB fans there’s some incredible gigs coming up in London! Here’s the ones we think you need to know about which will also be getting reviewed and discussed by our very own Ronnie Herel as and when they happen on The BIG RnB Show on Mi Soul radio.

Anderson Paak @ XOYO: Thursday 25 Feb

En Vogue @ IndigO2: Tuesday 01 March

Shaun Escoffery @ Leicester Square Theatre: Wednesday 02 March

Bilal Unplugged @ 100 Club: Wednesday 02 March

Gallant @ London Edition Hotel: Thursday 03 March

The Internet @ KOKO: Tuesday 08 March & Wednesday 09 March

Delilah, Shola Ama & Bluey Robinson @ XOYO: Tuesday 15 March

Janet Jackson @ The O2: Thursday 31 March

Raleigh Ritchie @ O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire: Thursday 28 April

Tinashe @ KOKO: 02,03 & 04 May

Lion BabeĀ @ KOKO: Wednesday 01 June

If you like your music soulful this is guaranteed to be the best thing you’ll hear all day!

Roc Nation artist Kirby, who is known for penning tracks for the likes of Beyonce, Ariana Grande, Rihanna and Kayne West is now stepping into the spotlight where she clearly belongs with her new track, ‘Loved By You‘. The track hears Kirby’s stunningly soulful vocals soar over a laid back melody with guitar by Jeff Gitty and showcases her heartfelt lyrics.

Hailed by fellow RnB star Brandy as, ‘the future of music‘ and with singer songwriter Gallant praising the track as, ‘the best thing I’ve heard in my life‘, no doubt there will be lots more greatness to come from this multi-talented artist.

@CarlyMond

It’s been 5 years since he released his last album, ‘Back to Love‘ and let’s be honest the RnB scene has been missing the smokey soulful sounds of the incredible Anthony Hamilton.

Luckily the wait is over and he is back in a big way with the uplifting and anthemic ‘Amen‘ produced by James Poyser and Salaam Remi. Hamilton has been back in the studio working on a new album which will hopefully drop later in the year.

Click the link below to listen and pick up the track here

@CarlyMond

US singer/songwriter has been making waves in the alt-RnB since the release of his debut EP, ‘Zebra‘ in 2014. Last year his single, ‘Weight in Gold‘ caught global attention when Zane Lowe announced it as his debut ‘World Exclusive‘ track on Beats 1.

Currently working on his debut album and crafting a sound that’s somewhere between Maxwell, Sampha and Frank Ocean, Gallant will be performing live at the London Edition Hotel on March 03rd, get your tickets here!

@CarlyMond

Gallant – Jupiter Grayscale

Alt-RnB, Indie RnB, call it what you like this new electro infused style of RnB which has been growing over the past few years is hot! Opal Blue, a new UK based duo are pretty left of this sub-genre but there’s a soulful edge to their sound which is enigmatic, distinctive and at times haunting.

There is little info around Opal Blue at this early stage, but we do know they are getting ready to drop their debut EP soon. If you’re a fan of sounds like Majid Jordan and The XX you will love these guys!

Click the link below and float away to the majestic sound of Opal Blue….

@CarlyMond

Just a couple of weeks after releasing, ‘Keep It Simple‘ ft Stormzy, Raleigh Ritchie is back spoiling us with another new cut from his forthcoming album entitled, ‘Never Better‘.

The track is a heart felt dedication to his long term girlfriend, demonstrating his usual lyrical finesse and the video is as unique and brilliant as Raleigh himself.

Check out Never Better below and pre-order Raleigh Ritchie‘s debut album, ‘You’re a Man Now Boy‘ set for release 26th February here

@CarlyMond

RnB fans will remember the days of killer tracks from Tank in the early 2000’s like ‘Better Man‘ and ‘Maybe I Deserve‘, more recently we’ve seen him make up one third of group TGT alongside Tyrese and Ginuwine. He expressed frustrations via social media last year about the lack of support for RnB from fans and the industry and announced he would no longer be making music of the genre. Luckily he has had a change of heart and is storming back with conviction on his 8th studio album, ‘Sex Love & Pain II‘.

Sex, Love & Pain II is a solid RnB album, with collaborations from Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men), Chris Brown and Wale, there’s a nice blend of up tempo tracks as well as smooth slow jamz with Tank’s vocals sounding better than ever. There are a couple of weak moments on the album with, ‘She Wit The s***’ and ‘F***** With Me‘ but they are few and Tank proves his relevancy on distinctive, modern cuts like, ‘I Love Ya‘ and ‘#BDay‘ as well as delivering those ballads we know and love him for, ‘Already In Love‘ and ‘Him Her Them‘.

With this album Tank proves that RnB it still strong and that he is here to stay.

Listen to ‘Relationship Goals‘ taken from Sex, Love & Pain II below and add the album to your collection here

@CarlyMond

What more could we ask for to start the new year than a collaboration from one of the hottest rising UK producers, SG Lewis and the distinctively delicious vocals of UK singer/songriwter Dornik?!

Their new collabo track entitled, ‘All Night‘ co-written by Two Inch Punch and Ed Drewett is undeniably infectious, available on iTunes now and I guarantee will have you hitting repeat.

Catch SG Lewis when he performs at London’s Oslo in February, tickets available here and pick up All Night here

@CarlyMond

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkwIq66vCzA