Universally praised and supported by a host of prestigious tastemakers, Azul Kechi has performed all over the world, bringing her influences, from Amy Winehouse to Lauryn Hill, and unique sound to ears across the globe.
A long time coming, her debut album Celestial Love featuring an incredibly infectious and smokey title track, arrives as a 14-song epic. Neo-soul grooves tie each track to the groove of the bassline and the shine of the vocals.
Bringing hyperactivity to some tracks and a steady softness to others, what is always front and centre is an intensifying power that commands the arrangement. Decorated with swirling, euphoric keys, fuzzy synths and a host of other enticing instrumentation, it crossed the boundaries of R&B, jazz and soul in a way no one else could.
A poetic and sleek debut, the project is a sign that we should have Azul down as a rising star, and whatever the South London-based British-Nigerian does next will undoubtedly be paid close attention to.
Check out the project below…
