Naarm/Melbourne-based soul artist, proud Noongar woman and Music Victoria 2022 Uncle Archie Roach Foundation Award winner Bumpy shares her debut EP, Morning Sun.
Over the last few years neo-jazz, nu-soul has gradually been creeping into the Melbourne scene, establishing a rather rapid following as one of the most prominent up-and-coming genres around.
Merging elements of R’n’B, alternative electronica, jazz and hip-hop, the genre quickly earned its stripes, with trailblazers such as Hiatus Kaiyote and 30/70 migrating from tiny backyard shows and the Victorian ‘bush-doof’ scene to become revered on the stages all around the world.
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This means that Bumpy’s debut EP Morning Sun is being delivered to the masses at the perfect time. With her backing comprising electronically charged jazz elements and a vocal range resembling the raw huskiness of Macy Gray, Bumpy’s debut perfectly encapsulates the breathtaking vocal capabilities of the ludicrously gifted Naarm-based artist.
From the sweeping percussive breaks of ‘Leave It All Behind’ to the mesmerising shuffled percussion and funky Morcheeba-esque grooves of ‘Return Home’, Morning Sun will undoubtedly offer up enough to keep you grooving through the day.
The title track ‘Morning Sun’ highlights more of a folk sensibility to the artists, whilst ‘Hide & Seek’ maintains soulful grooves and powerful vocal harmonies alongside its slowed-down metronomic beats. But that’s possibly Morning Sun’s most impressive feature; that almost every song takes on a completely new style for the vocalist, but never in a gimmicky way.
Instead, Bumpy’s vocals are equally suited to any style she tackles.
Label: Astral People Recordings
Release date: 27/01/2023
