Tag: soul

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Tanika Charles unleashes New Video!

Following the release of her latest album “Reasons to Stay“ last May, Tanika Charles is back with the official video of the title track, out now on Youtube.

Listen/purchase the new album “Reasons To Stay”: https://recordkicks.lnk.to/TanikaCharles

With her fourth studio album, “Reasons To Stay,” Tanika Charles demonstrates a new level of mastery, mining the depths of a life spent running away from the unfulfilled promises and a broken home, to give us her most raw and intimate offering to date. By coming to terms with past trials and ensuing tribulations, Ms. Charles delivers a modern Soul classic.

Playing like a series of intimate letters to members of her family, to herself and to the listener, “Reasons To Stay” is an examination of the skeletons dangling in the family closet, and the damaged relationships at the root of a woman’s journey to acceptance and self love.

Backed by the tight-knit team of Scott McCannell (Lydia Persaud, Henry Nozuka), Kyla Charter (Aysanabee) and Chino de Villa (Jessie Reyez), a guest feature from Quebec-based singer/songwriter Clerel, and vocal support from Aphrose and Claire Davis, Tanika Charles’ “Reasons To Stay” is steeped in experience, pulling threads from past eras to weave a record that feels retro futuristic and timeless.

Masterfully mixed by Monophonics’ frontman Kelly Finnigan, whose trademark analogue grit saturates Tanika’s sheen, “Reasons To Stay” also winks at the Hip-Hop heads perennially digging in crates. It captures the essence of Blues, Jazz, and Gospel-influenced R&B before spilling into Psychedelia and back, with a rawness and urgency that compels you to flip the record over again.

Two-time Juno Awards R&B/Soul Recording of the Year nominee and three-time Polaris Music Prize long-list nominee Tanika Charles in synonymous with Canadian Soul music. She has embraced the sound and aesthetic of the genre without gimmick, whilst pushing the boundaries of what audiences can expect. Her music revels in honesty and attitude, her live show is high energy and endearing, and she continues to organically win audiences over one album, one stream, and one encore at a time. Her previous studio albums – “Soul Run” (2017), “The Gumption” (2019), and “Papillon De Nuit” (2022) – have propelled her to international acclaim. Extensive touring across North America and Europe has further solidified her reputation, with standout performances at festivals such as Trans Musicales in France, Fusion Festival in Germany, Mostly Funk & Soul Festival and Jazz Festival in the UK, Holy Groove Festival in Switzerland, and Canarias Jazz Festival in Spain. She has also shared the stage Estelle, Mayer Hawthorne, Haitus Kayote, Lauryn Hill, Bedouin Soundclash and Macy Gray. Tanika’s meteoric rise and undeniable artistry have been widely championed by outlets such as KCRW, KEXP, BBC6 Music, Exclaim!, CBC Music, Uncut Mag, PopMatters and Albumism further solidifying her position as a global soul sensation.

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Tiwayo’s single prod by Adrian Quesada (Black Pumas)

SOUL SINGER-SONGWRITER TIWAYO UNLEASHES NEW SINGLE “I’VE GOT TO TRAVEL ALONE” AND ANNOUNCES HIS UPCOMING ALBUM “OUTSIDER”, A RAW SOUL REVELATION PRODUCED BY GRAMMY WINNER ADRIAN QUESADA (BLACK PUMAS). WATCH THE OFFICIAL VIDEO.

LISTEN & PRE-ORDER: https://bio.to/tiwayo-outsider
 
Nicknamed “The Young Old” for his timeless voice, Paris-born soul singer and songwriter Tiwayo returns with “I’ve Got To Travel Alone,” the first single from his forthcoming album “Outsider”, produced by Grammy Award winner Adrian Quesada of the Black Pumas. The single drops today, November 12, together with its official video, with the full album arriving April 10, 2026 via Record Kicks. Album pre-orders are now available. 
 
“This song evokes my inner journey as an artist,” says Tiwayo. “It’s about the ups and downs, about pursuing an ideal when everyday life can be discouraging. Society often tells us what’s right or wrong. If you don’t fit into those boxes, you have to dig deep to ‘resist’ and create your own path. This song is about resilience, self-determination, and reconnecting with your inner power to truly stand as an artist.”
 
Recorded at Electric Deluxe Studio in Austin, Texas, “Outsider” marks a rebirth for Tiwayo – a moment of clarity after years of searching. “Going to Austin to make this record with Adrian meant the world to me,” he explains. “After two years of isolation and disappointment, the moment we started recording, I knew I was in the right place at the right time”.
 
Although titled “I’ve Got To Travel Alone,” Tiwayo describes the track as a collective triumph. “Every musician and collaborator helped bring this story to life,” he notes. Musically, the song channels the gritty passion of O.V. Wright, the fire of Albert King, and the groove of the Black Pumas, blending old-school Memphis soul with modern rawness.
 
With “Outsider”, Tiwayo reclaims his place as one of the most distinctive voices in modern soul – a bohemian spirit who has busked and traveled the world, absorbing the blues, gospel, and R&B roots that define his sound.
 


Who is Tiwayo?
France may be celebrated for fine wine, electronic music, and buttery croissants — but rarely for deep, authentic soul. Tiwayo is here to change that. With “Outsider”, he delivers a radiant, borderless soul statement that defies genre and geography, proving that true soul has no nationality.
 
Praised by luminaries such as Norah Jones, Marcus Miller, Tony Visconti, and Don Was, Tiwayo has shared stages with Curtis Harding, Cody Chesnutt, and Marcus Miller. After two acclaimed releases – “Desert Dream” (Yotanka Records) and “The Gypsy Soul of Tiwayo” (Blue Note Records, produced by Mark Neill, the Grammy-winning architect behind The Black Keys’ “Brothers”) – he nearly vanished from the scene before Adrian Quesada discovered his demos and invited him to Austin to collaborate. The result is “Outsider”, a record that captures the essence of a Frenchman in Texas, a soul singer with a bluesman’s heart, and a traveler who never quite belongs anywhere.
 
In an age of polished revivals, Tiwayo stands proudly apart: an outsider in every sense, proving that the raw and unvarnished carry the deepest power.

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Michelle David & TT unleash (Northern) Soul stomper ‘Running’

Listen/Pre-order the New Album “Soul Woman” (out Feb 27, 2026): https://recordkicks.lnk.to/SoulWoman

Gospel-soul powerhouse Michelle David & The True-tones unleash new single “Running”: a soul stomper from the upcoming album “Soul Woman”.

Hot on the heels of their acclaimed single “Speak To Me”, US-Dutch soul combo Michelle David & The True-tones return with “Running”, a raw burst of Motown energy and a true northern soul stomper, packed with driving rhythms, infectious hooks, and Michelle’s powerhouse vocals. The new single is out now on digital platforms via Record Kicks.

The track is the second single from their highly anticipated upcoming album Soul Woman, set for release on February 27, 2026 on LP, CD, and digital formats. The new single “Running” also arrives as part of an explosive double-sided 45 alongside “Speak To Me”, which received early support from BBC Radio 6 Music, FIP Radio France, KEXP, KCRW, and more.

Soul Woman promises to be Michelle David & The True-tones’ most emotionally resonant and musically adventurous project to date. Building on their signature blend of gospel, soul, and classic R&B, the album broadens its palette while staying rooted in heartfelt storytelling and timeless grooves.

About Michelle David & The True-tones:

Raised in New York and singing in church from the age of four, Michelle David’s voice was forged in gospel. By five she was performing with The Mission of Love, and her career has since taken her across the globe with Broadway productions (Mama, The Sound of Motown, Glory of Gospel, Mahalia) and studio sessions for legends like Diana Ross and Michael Bolton.

Since joining forces with The True-tones, David has released seven acclaimed albums, blending gospel spirit with raw soul power. Together, they’ve built a reputation as a must-see live act — lighting up major festivals such as Pinkpop and North Sea Jazz, touring extensively across Europe, and even performing at the Winter Olympics 2022. Their recordings have earned wide recognition, from an Edison Award nomination (Dutch Grammy) to BBC Radio 6’s Album of the Year and FIP Radio’s Album of the Month. Their 2024 LP Brothers & Sisters, released on Record Kicks, cemented their status as a leading force in the international retro-soul movement.

With “Speak To Me”, “Running” and the upcoming Soul Woman, Michelle David & The True-tones deliver their most powerful statement yet: timeless soul for today, made to move both the body and the spirit.

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Tanika Charles announces new album & drops new single!

Pre-order the new album “Reasons To Stay” and listen to the new single “Don’t Like You Anymore” here: https://recordkicks.lnk.to/TanikaCharles

Toronto soul star Tanika Charles announces the new album “Reasons To Stay” and drops the first single “Don’t Like You Anymore”, out now on digital platforms. Album pre-orders available starting from today.

Two-time Juno awards nominated and three-time Polaris Prize listed, Canadian soul star Tanika Charles announces the new album“Reasons To Stay,” set to drop on May 16th, 2025 via independent soul specialist label Record Kicks. Album pre-orders are available starting from today at the following link: https://recordkicks.lnk.to/TanikaCharles The album is anticipated by lead single “Don’t Like You Anymore,” out today, February 5th, on all digital platforms and on March 21st on limited edition clear 45 vinyl. With her fourth studio album, “Reasons To Stay,” Tanika Charles writes a series of intimate letters to members of her family, to herself and to the listener.

Produced by Scott McCannell and mixed by Monophonics’ frontman Kelly Finnigan, in the first single “Don’t Like You Anymore,” Tanika reflects on her relationship with her mother. “I know this will come across harsh to some, but this is an honest reflection of my relationship with my mother. She was unavailable emotionally for me my entire upbringing, and eventually unavailable physically too. I’ve tried to understand. I’ve tried to make amends. I’ve tried to assist where I can. But the emotional labour is too heavy, and the reciprocation is too faint to justify trying anymore. I love you, but…”

The result is a fiery and heartfelt mid-tempo gospel-funk stormer, with boom-bap-smacked drums and chunky basslines that create an infectious groove that is sure to grab attention—not only from fans of soul but also from hip-hop and rap artists who will see its sample-ready potential. 

Two-time Juno Awards R&B/Soul Recording of the Year nominee and three-time Polaris Music Prize long-list nominee Tanika Charles in synonymous with Canadian Soul music. She has embraced the sound and aesthetic of the genre without gimmick, whilst pushing the boundaries of what audiences can expect. Her music revels in honesty and attitude, her live show is high energy and endearing, and she continues to organically win audiences over one album, one stream, and one encore at a time. Her previous studio albums – “Soul Run” (2017), “The Gumption” (2019), and “Papillon De Nuit” (2022) – have propelled her to international acclaim. Extensive touring across North America and Europe has further solidified her reputation, with standout performances at festivals such as Trans Musicales in France, Fusion Festival in Germany, Mostly Funk & Soul Festival and Jazz Festival in the UK, Holy Groove Festival in Switzerland, and Canarias Jazz Festival in Spain. She has also shared the stage Estelle, Mayer Hawthorne, Haitus Kayote, Lauryn Hill, Bedouin Soundclash and Macy Gray. Tanika’s meteoric rise and undeniable artistry have been widely championed by outlets such as KCRW, KEXP, BBC6 Music, Exclaim!, CBC Music, Uncut Mag, PopMatters and Albumism further solidifying her position as a global soul sensation.

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New addition to the RK roster: Welcome to The Sextones

Record Kicks is proud to present American Soul combo The Sextones, the new addition to the RK roster.

Please give a warm welcome to The Sextones, the new addition to the RK roster and family! Get ready to dive into their analog Soul straight from the High Desert of Reno, Nevada. Stay tuned, more news coming very soon…

Founded in 2015, The Sextones built a devoted following across the West Coast before breaking out internationally with their self-released 2017 debut album Moonlight Vision, quickly finding success in Japan via P-Vine Records. Soon after, the band began touring extensively across the U.S. and Europe, quickly garnering international attention from soul music fans, record collectors, and critics alike. A steady roster of national performances cemented their reputation as critical and festival favorites, with Okayplayer describing Moonlight Vision as “The result of a Herculean work ethic, mixed with a Sherlock Holmes-esque attention to detail and a nuance that can be appreciated by true music lovers.” Live For Live Music detailed their musical approach, writing: “By taking classic sounds, modernizing them, and making them their own, the Sextones have carved out a niche for themselves within the modern funk and soul movement, and we are digging every second of it.” And PopDust praised the group as “A glowing reminder of where music came from, and serves as a vehicle to light a fire under a new generation.”

Friends since childhood, The Sextones are Mark Sexton (guitar, vocals), Alexander Korostinsky (bass), Daniel Weiss (drums), and Christopher Sexton (piano). Having known each other for so long, their musical chemistry is effortless and forms the foundation of the band’s longevity and creative workflow. Despite their bond, each member has been able to channel their creativity into other acclaimed groups—Alexander and Mark with their cinematic-soul project Whatitdo Archive Group and Daniel’s recent engagement in the soul/jazz group Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio. Flexing their creative muscle individually has only strengthened The Sextones’ collective songwriting ability and heralds their formidable return to the spotlight with their upcoming record. With their recent signing to heavy-weight soul label, Record Kicks, the self-made heroes of soul begin a new chapter in their sonic journey, ready to scale new heights and plumb deep emotional depths in service of the genre they love.