Gina’s Top Songs of the Year: Numbers 7 and 6

7.
“Freedom” – Jordan Rakei

The second track off Jordan’s brilliant new album “The Loop”, “Freedom” came out in late January as the second single after “Flowers”. The loop (no pun intended) which is running in the back of the track comes full force in the highly energetic vocals, complete with a stunning background vocal arrangement. There is hardly any other singer around who can grab you by simply singing “ooh”. This is a fascinatingly executed song from one of the most exciting artists around these days. “The Loop” is our album of the year – the full list will be published before year’s end.

6.
“A Hundred Times” – James Berkeley

Now firmly established in the UK soul, jazz, and r&b scenes, singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist James Berkeley first got our attention in 2022 with his work on the edbl LP “edbl & friends”. I really dig his flawless falsetto and his intricate, yet smooth and fancy songwriting. And his love for analogue synths of course. He plays Fender Rhodes and synths and co-wrote several tracks on the last Incognito LP “Into You”, being the featured singer on “Tell Me Something” which, apparently, is the album’s strongest cut. He can be heard as vocalist on three cuts from the 2019 Incognito LP “Tomorrow’s New Dream”. And he formed the Brighton-based band Yakul, playing an enticing mix of neo-soul and jazz, selling out places like Ronnie Scott’s in London. His intoxicating “A Hundred Times” came out in June on yada yada and it sums up his artistry in a perfect way. Ad-libs never sounded better! This is still on heavy rotation in the Gina household. James’ debut album will see the light of day in 2025. We can’t wait!