Kadija Karama – Nothing Left to Lose
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| Kadija Karama - Nothing Left to Lose |
Turn those lights down a little, let
me pour you a glass of wine, take the phone off the hook (put it on silent, if
you must) and let’s put this one on the record player and wait for that
crackle. Londoner Kadija Karama has created a sumptuous EP for us and I think
it deserves our proper attention so if you’ve got the time then let’s have a
listen. The first of the four tracks, ‘Nothing Left to Lose’, starts with the
scratchy blues guitars of the Alabama Shakes and the shimmying swagger of Joss
Stone but with a little more grit to those low soulful notes. Comparisons have
been made to Lenny Kravitz which I get from a musical point of view but for me
this is something closer to Janis Joplin or Mama Cass as an overall style. Next
up there’s ‘Running in the Name of the Game’ which has a more contemporary vibe
to it that brings to mind the Noisettes as the drums rumble and guitars swing
with aplomb to create a sense of something approaching, something good but
something indefinable on the horizon. The anticipation is palpable.
The dirty, fuzzed up bass of ‘Eyes
on You’ is matched by the sensual soul of Kamara’s voice that knocks any of the
pop pretenders in to the corner with one sultry groan. This is the party piece
of the EP but it’s not a reckless, beer guzzling party, rather a sophisticated,
classy and fun affair full of cool, interesting and engaging people at every
turn. The collection closes out with ‘Like You’, a track that opens with something
akin to whale song before a gentle, Sunday morning piano riff unfurls with
Kamara’s soft, gospel vocal and suddenly the world stops. If you stop and give
this song the full five and a bit minutes of luscious piano, vocals and strings
then I guarantee it will do your soul good which we could all do with. It might
make you smile, it might make you cry or it might make you just take a few deep
breaths and hug the person nearest to you but whatever the reaction I guarantee
it will be just what you need. Kadija Kamara is a rare and prodigious talent,
one that should be cherished and hailed for what she brings to the table so you
can start by wrapping your ears around this EP.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/kadijakamaramusic/
Live Dates:
27th February – LADY presents EP Launch @ The
Finsbury, London w/Amy Lawton + Morgan Munroe + Handson Family
Listen Here: