Review: EMAMKAY - Sense (STY TRU BTS)

We know from the release of 'When The Sun Rises' last month that Kid Fonque has got his finger on the new talent that is coming out of South Africa, specifically, Pretoria's EMAMKAY.

Like 'When The Sun Rises' (review HERE) still into his inner D'Angelo/Dilla/Flying Lotus with that added bonus of the backing 'jazz' band, the Sounds Like U Quintet: Jeffery Mahachi (d), Michael Nkuna (trumpet) with Bokang Ramatlapeng on vocals and EMAMKAY (MC/piano/keyboards).

It's very Futuristica Music with echoes of Dwele and Roy Hargrove (RIP) on the 'Golden Era' Maida Vale sessions with DJ Gilles Peterson.  

Yes! It's that good and it make sense (in this crazy world).

The forthcoming album 'Love Is Energy' is due at the end of March and if the other tracks are as cool as what we've heard so far....

Artist: EMAMKAY

Title: Sense

Release date: 3rd March, 2023

Label : STY TRU BTS

Catalog Number : STB21 / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: EMAMKAY - When The Sun Rises (STY TRU BTS)

Kid Fonque has always moved to a different beat whether it's house, hip-hop, bossa, bass, bruk and loads more.  A stalwart of  South African electronic music and club culture over the last 20 years he's also boss of STY TRU BTS Records as he knows quite a lot of spotting new talent.  And that is exactly what he's found emcee/producer EMAMKAY from Pretoria. 

'When The Sun Rises' channels his inner D' Angelo with some Dilla/Flying Lotus; could it be a coincidence that Biggabush was playing tracks from 'ArtDontSleep Presents... From L.A. With Love' only last week?  

The killer here is that this is a 'jazz' band, the Sounds Like U Quintet: Jeffery Mahachi (d), Michael Nkuna (trumpet) with Bokang Ramatlapeng on vocals and EMAMKAY (MC/piano/keyboards), very futuristica.  

The forthcoming album 'Love Is Energy' is due at the end of March and if the other tracks are as cool as this....

Artist: EMAMKAY

Title: When The Sun Rises

Release date: 3rd February, 2023

Label : STY TRU BTS

Catalog Number : STB20 / Digital / Bandcamp