Review: Emily Saunders - Blue Skies Forever (Mix Sounds)

Emily Saunders' new single promises 'Blue Skies Forever' and I think she's onto something.

There's a lot going on here with a track that sounds like a long-lost DJ Paul Murphy 'Electric Ballroom', Dingwalls/Camden Town jazzdance favourite to a Latin-BRUK folk-prog: so that's right up my street.

In four different version; original, instrumental, radio edit, instrumental with backing vocals (I wish more folks would consider this imaginative release), all are for the new found summer party fever.

She sounds like she should of been part of the nu-jazz-future jazz explosion at Sonar Kollektiv (Germany, Five Corners (Finland), Jazzland (Norway) or Do Right! in Canada but she's actually from London and raised in Brixton; either way, she's definitely here and now.

Don't forget the earlier single 'Sideways' (see review HERE) and live at the Jazz Cafe, Camden, London on Monday (24th June).

Artist: Emily Saunders 

Title: Blue Skies Forever

Release date: 21st June, 2024 

Label : Mix Sounds

Catalog Number : MIXS2402

Format :Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Emily Saunders - Sideways (The Max Sounds)

Emily Saunders  brought us 'All As One' and now "the Queen of jazz-fusion" gone all 'Sideways' on us.

The singer/songwriter/producer has gone even more Norma Winston/Janet Lawson et al on us with 'Sideways' as a modern jazz-dance on the Balearic beaches of Caister, Southport, Sete and any other other place where there's a jazz-soul festival (future or past).

Whilst BBC Radio 2's, Jamie Cullum is a big fan, there's definitely a non-traditional edge to Ms. Saunders.  At one extreme, sometimes it's 'pop', at other times, more June Tyson: perhaps more so on the space-trip of the instrumental version with out-there post Bruk synths.

The bass is busy and can easily suit the dancefloor so don't be surprised that DJ's of this genre like Peterson's, Parnell's and Perry's (OK, I know I cheated a bit with the '3PS') whowho have all done a bit of a shiftless shufflle in the past (Ed. that's Gilles, Colin and Louis to you and me) who will be catching on to 'Sideway' as will the latest (and well deserved) recruit to Jazz FM, Dom Servini.

And if you're looking to brighten up your day, sunny lyrics too!  What more do you want?  Possibly a 12" jazz-dance mix?

Artist:Emily Saunders 

Title:  Sideways

Release date: 1st March, 2024

Label : The Max Sounds

Catalog Number : MIXS2401

Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp