Music

Raz & Afla Launch MoBlack Records – “AfroZone” with new EP Benwa Marafi

Raz & Afla reunite for forward-thinking Afro House EP ‘Benwa Marafi’ First release on MoBlack Records’ newest annex AfroZone.

Welcome to AfroZone, the newest annex to MoBlack Records’ expanding house, a creative space dedicated to the essence of Afro. For AfroZone’s debut release, Raz & Afla reunite with an inimitable two-tracker that resounds the sub-label’s vision in perfect elocution. AZ001 is the label’s genesis as they always imagined it to be. Educing from their tried, tested, and proven transcontinental chemistry, the Hackney-based producer and Ghanian musical maestro render their Benwa Marafi EP, a forward-thinking manifestation of Afro House that breathes the past in unison with the present.

Organic percussion, convictive tribal drumming, and bright, gritty strings pulsate life into the 7:12 minute journey, while Senegalese inspired vocals siphon soulfulness that ground man to earth, and earth within the body. Quixotic melodies, airy riffs tread Benwa Marafi’s sensual rhythm while elegant electronic tweaks and effervescent synths lend a subtle cosmic touch that unravels a celestial perspective from which earth is one entity. An impassioned plea out of love and despair, a deliberate chorus of hope into syncretic conviction, Benwa Marafi’s exudes rich tapestries of ethnic sounds, made by man, some, machine, echoing the universality of Afro House and the universe within Afro House.

Shake It Mama rounds off the EP, shaking loose and breaking beat in a vast acoustic space, wallowing in a kaleidoscope of Afro-infused raw materials, mechanical modulations, and funky sonic juxtapositions. This 4:03 minute track is a mental trip for locomotive desires, teeming with faded reverberations, ominous harmonies, and glossy resonance self-fulfilling on ecstatic bass lines and body-binding rhythms.

For more information visit: https://www.instagram.com/raz.and.afla/

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Album Review

Dian Sheng explores identity, life and love with “Sid” album

Dian Sheng releases his long-awaited first English-language album, “Sid,” a genre-defying collection of songs that includes pop, rock, electronic, and jazz. “Sid” is a deep, meditative exploration of identity, relationships, and self-growth, spanning 29 minutes and 12 seconds across eight tracks. This album is a personal exploration of the complex emotions of mankind and the vitality and jubilation of life.

From the opening track, “Right Now,” Dian Sheng establishes a sense of urgency and reflection. The upbeat song “I Come From Far” examines the connection between the self and one’s environment. It has joyful beats and layers that make you think and feel like part of the narrative.

The jazz ballad “Undecided Love” delves into the complexities of modern romance, featuring tender vocals and instrumentation that showcase Sheng’s delicate touch as a songwriter. “It Will Be Alright” is an empowering anthem about overcoming life’s biggest obstacles, combining electronic beats with a rock influence.

“Seventeen” is bursting with youthful energy, and its production captures the restlessness and emotionality of adolescent life. Two introspective songs with similar atmospheres, “The Way Before” and “This Life,” match chilling melodies with moving lyrics that touch on bygone relationships, self-awareness, and the quest for meaning we all experience.

The album concludes with “Shining As Your Name,” and the final few minutes of this piece alone evoke a strong sense of hope. Dian Sheng demonstrates his ability to join emotional depth with new styles. “Sid” is an invitation into the rich musical universe of Dian Sheng, where you can both consider yourself and feel influenced.

Written by:

Faith Koch

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Artist Spotlight

Feel the vibe with Sporty-O’s new EP “The P.L.U.R. Project,” a blend of emotions and sound

“The P.L.U.R. Project” begins like a rush of light across a crowded dance floor as jubilant, purposeful, and very human. This seven-song, 29-minute journey from the EDM pioneer Sporty-O is a cultural reset built around peace, love, unity, and respect.

Sporty-O establishes the emotional timbre for the entire project from the first track of its lead single, “Spirit Higher.” The song is anthemic, its purposes well outlined despite a high-gloss production. It’s a centerpiece that establishes the mood of an intensive exploration of sound and self-awareness.

“The P.L.U.R. Project” is just as much about managing your feelings as it is about moving. Sporty-O creates each record with intention, writing things that make people think on the dance floor. Another high-energy song is “Happy Together,” with Lorme and Chris Willis, pulsing warmth and togetherness. “SOLD!” has a clean, feel-good sound that embodies the community spirit of EDM culture.

Sporty-O embraces a multi-genre EDM palette on the EP, fusing forward-thinking sounds with uptempo beats. Tracks like “Revolution” with Specimen A and “Geek’d Up” with Baby Sweet provide lots of energy and edge. “Piece Of My Mind” is more introspective, while “Cheveyo” features a diverse array of collaborators and culminates in a rich, layered sound, all while maintaining a global welcoming spirit.

What makes this project unique is that it serves both and reminds people of the origins of dance culture. Sporty-O aims to help people rediscover the heartbeat of the community. “The P.L.U.R. Project” is an EDM experience that reaches beyond the speakers, colorful and thoughtful about meaning in music-based culture.