Tokyo Dawn Records have put together a melting pot of sultry, soulful grooves in their new compilation The Nature, Vol. 1, which highlights a score of Australian voices in the neo-soul scene.
The compilation is a seventeen-track journey of delectable future soul that combines influences from jazz, RnB, funk and hip hop.
Tokyo Dawn Records will fulfil all your funk and soul needs with The Nature, Vol. 1, an epic 17-track compilation of some of the best soulful grooves Australia has to offer.
Tokyo Dawn Records is a music unit based in Munich, Germany that has released dozens of eclectic albums from a wide range of unique artists. Musically, the label focuses on a very distinct subset of genres such as future funk and eclectic jazz, developing an instantly recognisable and innovative sound stamp.
The Nature, Vol. 1 is a compilation of soulful tracks from Aussie artists signed to the label, representing an antipodean landscape of Australian voices. With influences ranging from jazz and RnB to pop music, the tracks all share a common ground by being rooted in soul.
The album kicks off in the form of Australia Does Not Exist, a thought-provoking and soulful hip hop track by DRMNGNOW, also known as Neil Morris, a Yorta Yorta man who is one of the most powerful indigenous voices in Australian rap music.
Up-and-coming female powerhouse Natalie Slade follows with the beautiful track Humidity, a funky, soulful groove produced by Simon Mavin from Hiatus Kaiyote. Next, Adelaide’s Eliza Dickson outlines her artistic journey and the struggles of expression that every artist faces in Gold, a smooth, easy listening blend of jazz and blues.
Adelaide-based songbird Ruru then effortlessly glides over Funkwig’s scratchy production on Ether, an introspective spaceflight delving deep into the soul. This is followed by Inkswel‘s tropical mix of The Master Plan from Melbourne hip hop duo Man Made Mountain.
Australian-residing Jamaican soul legend Spikey Tee steps forth with Sweet Nothings, produced by Jim Dunloop, where he combines funk, soul, and drum and bass to create a simultaneously smooth and glitchy groove. The next track You Plus Me, from Tokyo Dawn regulars Planetself. It’s a sensual number that’s one part Bossanova soul groover, two parts love song.
Sydney boys il Combo step up next with their blues-tingled pearler Throw Me A Line – think Shuggie Otis meets D’Angelo. This is followed by the smooth and spacey tune Slippin from Melbourne up and comers Belove. Free jazz/soul band Lander follow with their encapsulating track Zurs featuring Allysha Joy on vocals, truly reflecting the bubbling Melbourne soul scene.
Legendary MC N’fa Jones contributes two tracks to the compilation; Plabba, a beautiful family ode from his soul-shaking band Cool Out Sun, and Oh Dear from his group Dreamkatchers, providing an unforgettable jazz-infused hip hop vibe.
Planetself front-woman Charli Umami makes another appearance on the album with her track Water Used 2 Run, a beautifully seductive and introspective hymn about womanhood and freedom of expression. Next up is well established beatsmith Silent Titan’s beautiful ballad Out of Sight featuring one of Melbourne’s finest neo-soul singers Jace XL, a futuristic ode to love and relationships.
The closing track is Infinite/Limitless, a groovy love note from Paul Gorrie, a Gunai/Kurnai Yorta-Yorta singer and activist with a heart full of soul.
The Nature Vol. 1 is out now.
