Gig Review: ‘Friends Crush’ Curated By Squid
2 February 2024
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Featuring global female talent such as killer headliner Erykah Badu, En Vogue (who need no introduction given their long-time chart and Grammy success) and Billboard chart-topping American rapper β Eve, we areβ¦what should I say? GASSED to be invited down to celebrate yet another year of Cross The Tracks dedication to celebrating the best and up and coming female and non-binary names in the world of soul, jazz, hip-hop, R&B and more.
So, for those counting down the days, get ready to blanket the grass, crack open a tinny and catch the unmissable celebration of music, culture and community, Cross The Tracks will return to Brockwell Park, London on Sunday 26th May, 2024.
When the sun begins to shine, taking hold of the classically dreary UK, itβs artists like soul songstress and producer Faye Meana that provide the ultimate colourful soundtrack to accompany those moments basking in the sun. Finding perfect synergy between soul, R&B, disco, electronic and even a dusting of 80s sounds, Faye Meana has showcased her raw talent and eclectic musical upbringing through a trail of singles and EPs spanning back to 2016.
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In many ways, birthed from her childhood die-hardβ appreciation for Areatha Franklin, Fayeβs intricate vocals shine bright with a joyous, warm energy inspired by the 60s βQueen of soulβ and other legendary neo soul singers such as Erykah Badu.Β Faye melts her listeners with soothing vocals that tell stories of lifeβs nuanced complexities, searching for love and following dreams; whether itβs with her 5-piece band or atop a subtle guitar riff. With jazz, colour and soul being at the heart of Cross the Tracks, Faye Meana is a must watch on the 26th of May.
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London-hailing and Jamaica/Grenadian-rooted artist Summer Pearl brings a soul soothing prowess to genre-fluidity, with her collected jazz, soul, hip hop and dub cuts, illuminated with vibrant live instrumentation and inspired by the sounds of her Caribbean culture.Β
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Summerβs tracks envelop you in warm, sun-kissed jazz, and her sure hip hop flow leaves an impulsive head bop in its place. The London-based artist also ensures to weave in deep emotional understanding and perceptive storytelling with her sparkling creations. She tells of love, loss and ever-important political messages exploring black and female history that add sumptuous layers to every one of her tracks.Β
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Summer Pearl is perfect for fans of Greentea Peng, Muva of Earth, IAMDDB, Eliza and Erykah Badu –Β who Summer accompanies on the lineup for Cross the Tracks.
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From the age of 15 Maya Delilah has been publicly displaying her effortlessly dreamy vocals and knack for endearing lyricism. In 2014 she was a finalist in The Mayor of Londonβs Gigs Big Busk, the UK’s biggest annual street music competition. She continued to perfect her craft at Londonβs prestigious Brit School and has been steadily releasing singles and EPβs since 2020 to an audience of over 300,000 monthly Spotify listeners.
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Her early 2020 single βTangerine Dreamβ remains a firm fan-favourite, a hazily-produced R&B love song with a hypnotic swing and groove, warm splashes of synths and a slick guitar solo closer comparable to that of a Tom Misch track.
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However, her latest collection of songs feel like a step into a new era with a lean towards more organic methods of instrumentation, βNecklaceβ brings folk and acoustic elements into Mayaβs signature blend of airy R&B and pop, the stunning final product has an expansive sound, with meandering washed guitar that wouldnβt sound out of place on a Khruangbin track.
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βSilver Liningβ goes a step further; the rolling percussion and upbeat guitar rhythm carry the instrumentals in the absence of synthesisers. The only remnant of Mayaβs typical sound being the subtle vocal effects she often uses to add an extra dimension of depth to her voice. It feels an assured and thoughtful demonstration of an artist unafraid to innovate and challenge perceptions of their typical sound, keeping fans wondering what the first full length project might sound like if and when it arrives.
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The culmination of a journey from Barcelonaβs underground jazz scene to the renowned stages of The Royal Albert Hall and Ronnie Scottβs, Sofia Grantβs 2023 debut EP βExtinctionβ, is a free-flowing display of an artist comfortable and confident in their craft.
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Extinction is a record juxtaposed, the title and lyrical content often serious and poignant but delivered within these beauty-dripping jazz compositions. The EP title-track βExtinctionβ delivers the line βI looked extinction in the eye and criedβ in the most gorgeous of harmonies as the percussion and horns flitter, peak and dip alongside to expertly dictate the pace and ambience of the track.
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The themes of climate change and ecological collapse included are a reflection of the issues creating anxiety in our society today, their portrayal in the context of a jazz record, and the deep-rooted links the genre has to spirituality and its role in sparking social change seems fitting for the world in which we are now living in and the challenges we face.
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Sofiaβs projects have garnered support from the likes of Gilles Peterson (BBC Radio 6), Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2) and Femi Koleoso of Ezra Collective.
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As well as her solo efforts Sofia has collaborated with the likes of PYJAEN and Poppy Ajudha and also founded Higher Ground Jam Session, a space designed to encourage and foster musical creativity and improvisation for performers of all backgrounds in East London.
