Nuela Charles delivers a flavour of potent vocals
amid sassy instrumentation on ‘Distant Danger’ EP
NUELA CHARLES, alternative-soul powerhouse, who takes influence from the likes ofNina Simone and more, delivers a style of potent vocals amid sassy instrumentation and percussion. Kenya-born, Canada-based Nuela has been noted as “one to watch” by the legendary Soul Train, after she struck off 2018 with a JUNO Award Nomination for Contemporary Album of the Year with her sophomore album “The Grand Hustle” and her debut American performance was at the renowned “It’s A School Night” showcase in Los Angeles, on the personal invite of Chris Douridas, popular DJ and musical tastemaker at Santa Monica, California's radio station KCRW, after he added Charles’ saxy ‘Unfortunate Love’ into rotation.
Grammy Nominated Rob Kleiner (Andra Day, Sia, CeeLo Green) produced and co-written ‘Do It Right’, is an amalgamation of sassy swing and typically pop arrangements. ‘If you’re gonna do it, better do it right’ commands Nuela, in soft yet authoritative tones. Her gibes toward the faceless man and his shortcomings are accompanied by sass-ridden clicks and plucky bass, later, also subtle organ and brass parts add to the total theatrics of the track.
“Troublemaker”, co-produced by the production duo Towers, is a sassy sophisticated number about a man who is nothing but trouble. The thickly layered composition reflects this with its stand-out brass parts and swingy percussion. ‘You’re a smooth operator, and you like a little danger, I kind of love it but I hate it, you’re a real troublemaker aren’t you?’questions Nuela as percussion gallops beneath the panache of her lyricism.
Produced by Ryan Worsely (Dear Rouge, Said The Whale), ‘Danger’ serves as a ritzy return for the audacious pop and soul fusion of Nuela Charles. The addictive tones of the single start from the outset – marriages of guitars that dart around the mix under Nuela’s silky notes, and a slinky strut of a pre-chorus where on-beat bass pedals and lyricism simply scream “sass”; ‘be a little bit of rough if you let me, kind of tough if you get me (get me)’. Vocal effects are used tastefully during parts of the track, adding an extra alternative dynamic to the composition, making for a wholly sumptuous sound.
Described as a captivating performance, Nuela has brought her distinct voice to various stages across North America. Over the last several years she has showcased atCanadian Music Week multiple times, headlined an evening at the Edmonton Jazz Festival, and landed a support slot for Ziggy Marley.
‘Do It Right’ (March 2018) made a splash in Germany as it entered the German Airplay Charts (Hochschulsender) Top 100 in May and landed two synch placements on the US National Sports Channel ESPN, adding to the 13 synchs she’s acquired over the last 4 years.
Gaining hype from The FADER, as well as a placement on the hit show “Jane the Virgin” and further, some comfortable real estate on the Canadian CBC Radio 2 charts, Charles is ready to release more of her fiery brand of cinematic soul on her new EP ‘Distant Danger’ – out on all platforms 19th October 2018.
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Pop Music