What You Need by Randa & The Soul Kingdom - Freestyle Records [FSRCD088] FLAC download included with physical items

What You Need

Randa & The Soul Kingdom

A 10 track retro soul album (36m 27s) — released October 3rd 2011 on Freestyle Records

#soul #retro-soul
Hailing from Perth and firmly at the forefront of the Australian funk and soul scene are Randa & The Soul Kingdom led by Jordanian born and Australian raised soul sister Randa Khamis. With producer Lance Ferguson (The Bamboos, Cookin On 3 Burners, Lanu, Black Feeling) at the controls of the debut self titled album, the result was bristling with edgy, gritty funk and soul. The buzz on Randa And The Soul Kingdom led to a full European tour with label mates Deep Street Soul, a live session for Mark Lamarr on BBC Radio 2. Randa was being lauded as a modern day equivalent to Marva Whitney, Ann Sexton and Vicki Anderson in their prime by Mojo Magazine, Blues & Soul and Randa's music even featuring in the US version of teen TV show Skins. Instead of flying straight back to Australia after the tour, Randa spent 6 months residing in London collaborating with funk/soul artists to write her second album. Inspired and influenced by the music and musicians in London, the second album What You Need was born. Finally back in Melbourne, Australia she went straight into The Shed Studios where the songs were recorded and produced by Lance Ferguson and John Castle (Megan Washington) once again at the controls. Whilst retaining the funk undercurrent, this new album What You Need also often incorporates elements of 60's and Northern soul, 70's disco and some more down tempo, reflective moments within what is a varied and mature collection of songs. Kicking off with the happening groove of Power In Me, Randas vocals ride over a powerful, bold and brassy riff that crackles with positive energy that is pure dance floor gold. While Lovesick still tinged with a gritty funk feel also delves into the 1960's stomping soul arena and brings it to the forefront of a more modern accessible sound. Another highlight is the disco driven The Things (also available on the 12 inch single/download FSR092) which allows Randa to work out her disco diva muscles to quite stunning effect! Squelchy synths ride over an insistent disco beat, whilst Lance Fergusons' scratchy guitar evokes the heady, hedonistic era of Chic, Studio 54 and Bianca Jagger riding a white horse across the dance floor! Whilst Be Yourself evokes up tempo, mid 60's Motown with handclaps, tambourines and snappy, sharp drums, in contrast Cold paints a picture of a troubled romance, love lost and hearts breaking, the fodder for soul music since it first began. With this follow up album, Randa & The Soul Kingdom cement their reputation as one of the most hard working and authentic purveyors of genuine 21st century soul.

Randa & The Soul Kingdom's second album, and things just keep getting better and better. This is one of those albums that just has to be played loud so as to appreciate the wonderful musicianship and awesome grooves. - Paul Miller BBC Soul Show

What You Need is a solid second outing from Randa & The Soul Kingdom that will most certainly please existing fans and has enough variety and accessible tunes to attract new listeners. - Tokyo Jazz Notes

If you're a fan of funk, northern soul and disco, this one's highly recommended. - artistxite.com

Nicely paced album! More than modern soul, I'd call this 'rhythm & business' Serious grooves on both the up and downtempo numbers. - T-Bird Wtnr Radio.com

Superb arrangement! Classic, yet completely contemporary. - Christopher Lawyer Hip City Radio Show

Funky as hell! Keep it coming! - Junior Recordbreakin.com

Randa has got it going on, Nice work - lay it on me! - Anthony Psaltis Eastside Radio

As the weather heats up down under so will the dance floors with this superb album of modern soul! - Dj Strangefellow

I really dig the rawness of it! - Mza Soul Circle Radio

Welcome return from the Aussie funkers with a few suprises included. Excellent album!! - Ginger Tony Solar Radio

It's wonderful how some recent productions achieve the magic of vintage Northern soul or Motown stuff! - Bart Sampson www.jazzradio.fr

This second album sees Randa & The Soul Kingdom pushing beyond just funk with great success. What You Need indeed. - Sean Smith Tokyo Jazz Notes

I love your voice Randa! - Black Mighty Wax Gru Radio

Randa delivers the raw funk you've been longing for! Excellent production (once again) by Lance Ferguson and nice and tidy tracklist. It's phat! - Sjoerd Aurgasm.us

An Antipodean funk fest! - Gary Turner THE HOT BOX

For years now Randa has been bringing her brand of funk to the West Coast of Australia with gusto. The secret is now out! - Blair Stafford Inside Vibe/PBS FM

Quality funk business as ever - tight! - Gilla First Word Recordings

The album has it all, sounding like it has come straight from the 70's with that funky vibe that just cannot be recreated on a computer. Ten tracks in total and all of them worthy of a single release! - Soulm8magazine

What a pearler! This album brings out the Diva in every one of us. This is a dance floor bomb! - DJ Marcus www.soulectric.co.uk

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