Video: “Why Can’t We” + Asa’s ‘Beautiful Imperfection’ Out Today

September 6, 2011 1 Comment

French-Nigerian songstress Asa‘s sophomore release, Beautiful Imperfection, is out today in the U.S. via Naïve Records. The album showcases a shift in the singer’s aesthetic from her politically-themed debut to the celebratory 60′s soul of the new LP.

While Beautiful Imperfection finds Asa experimenting with a myriad of Northern influences, the singer retains her Nigerian roots singing three of the album’s twelve tracks in Yoruba. At its best moments, the new LP plays like a unique blend of Asa’s dual upbringing — a large dose of Western pop with traces of Naija influences.

Check out the balloon-filled technicolor clip for Beautiful Imperfection‘s latest single “Why Can’t We” above.

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Audio: Asa’s “Why Can’t We” (Plus NYC + LA Tour Dates)

May 25, 2011 Leave a comment

Nigerian singer Asa is ready to bring her unique sound to American shores for the release of her sophomore album, Beautiful Imperfection. While her self-titled debut album combined a darker tone with a political undercurrent, her latest album combines 60’s soul, blues, pop, and rock into an uplifting sound that feels familiar but never derivative. The opening track, “Why Can’t We,” sets the tone for the rest of the album. It’s upbeat, soulful, and damn catchy. Her sunny demeanor is infectious, and I guarantee that it will lift you out of even the bleakest of moods.

Beautiful Imperfection is set for a September 6 release in the US (Naïve Records). If you can’t wait that long, and you happen to live in New York or L.A., Asa will be visiting both cities on her US tour (tour dates listed after the jump). Listen to “Why Can’t We” below, and click here to download the track.

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Audio: Tiken Jah Fakoly – “African Revolution”

February 7, 2011 Leave a comment

With the release of his 10th album, there are certain things one can expect from Tiken Jah Fakoly, the politically driven singer who has been living in exile from his native Ivory Coast.  On African Revolution, Fakoly delivers the same poignant messages promoting social justice that have led to his exile from several African countries.  On African Revolution, Fakoly’s smooth delivery and catchy reggae melodies are perfectly intermingled with African instruments.  The track “Political War,” featuring French/Nigerian singer Asa, is a beautiful description of the ugliness of corrupt politics.  Take a listen to that song below and explore more of Tiken Jah Fakoly at his website with Universal Music in France.

Tiken Jah Fakoly feat. Asa – 05 Political War

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Video: Latest Single by Asa “Be My Man”

January 17, 2011 Leave a comment

Born in Paris to Nigerian parents and raised in Lagos since the age of 2, Asa (pronounced Asha) got her love for singing and developed her writing style while internalizing the sounds of Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, and Sunny Ade.  Her debut album Asa [Asha] carried an acoustic neo-soul vibe, which was great but a bit predictable.  On Beautiful Imperfection, Asa breaks out of her shell while developing a new sound and look that I would describe as Afro-Soul Hipster.  The album is set for release in North America during the fall of 2011, but is available everywhere else in the world as noted on Asa’s website.  The video for the first single Be My Man (above) gives a glimpse of Asa’s new sound and style.

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