Artist Spotlight

Shoketta gives jazz a new voice on latest release “Summer time”

Shoketta kicks off “Summertime” by reimagining it with a deep, jazz-filled bass line built on Richie Goods’ acoustic bass. The arrangement announces its character right away, with Clarence Penn’s drums opening up the musical space and Andy Ezrin’s Rhodes adding bright, scattered color. And then percussion from Daniel Sadownick adds another layer of rhythm in the lower registers, before Shoketta’s vocals finally come in.

Shoketta makes the standard her own, taking a familiar composition and treating it like a modern jazz vocalist, with her own phrasing and expression. The performance doesn’t rely on the song’s pre-existing identity; instead, the singer’s interpretation becomes an integral part of the experience. But the musicians around her leave enough space for the track to breathe, keeping it jazz-centered.

The biggest surprise comes when Nozomi Yamaguchi’s electric guitar takes the arrangement in a more unexpected, adventurous direction. That change adds a discovery element to “Summertime,” pulling the performance out of its original jazz context. Shoketta’s voice remains at the heart of the piece, and the musicians continue exploring possibilities around it. The result is a thoughtful interpretation that stays true to tradition while still pushing the music in a new direction.

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Artist Spotlight

Big Jon celebrates growth and self-belief on latest release “Level Up”

Big Jon’s latest release, “Level Up” is all about confidence, competition, celebration, and the drive to keep pushing forward. The song is about an artist with a winner’s mindset who sees every obstacle as another chance to prove himself. “Big Jon believes that when the going gets tough, the tough get going, and keep getting up.

Big Jon is proud of his wins and celebrates with his brothers across the track, imagining himself at the center of attention with playful confidence. He loves the larger-than-life character he has created, talking about his mansion, his success and the confidence that makes his opponents think twice before stepping up. The upshot is a striking portrait of a man enjoying his moment while making it clear he expects bigger things to come.

“Level Up” is a progress report from an artist who knows he’s only just begun. Big Jon is proud of his progress, but he’s quick to emphasize he’s just getting started. The song is a tribute to the mindset of someone ready to take on whatever comes next and keep moving forward with playful confidence, a tongue-in-cheek attitude, and a determined outlook.

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Artist Spotlight

BuYufu turns the symptoms of love into a soul-filled dance with “Side Effects May Include”

In “Side Effects May Include,” BuYufu has made the irrational symptoms of hopelessly falling in love playful and highly musical. Love’s a hell of a drug, and it has some weird side effects. Missed calls, dancing on the spot, and acting completely out of character. It’s a simple idea, but the track really brings it to life.

It’s written as a song for a 70s soul club performance, influenced by crossover soul, northern soul, Afro-Cuban soul, and Latin soul. Horns, strings, shuffle guitar, Latin percussion, Hammond organ, and an active drum break surround the song’s central feeling. The arrangement keeps the song feeling lively, but the vintage influence is very clear.

“Side Effects May Include,” has subtle callbacks for those who have been following the project. This connection gives the song a sense of finality. It’s warm, raw, and deliberately human in its subject matter, capturing the odd thrill of love while showing how an old-school soul feeling can still speak naturally to the present.

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