Andrew Ashong's Mellow Soul On 'Special'
Andrew Ashong releases soulfully mellow 'Special' EP via Which Way Records
<p>Since taking home <strong><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/2013/12/13/gilles-peterson-nelson-mandela-tribute-mix/" target="_blank">Gilles Peterson</a></strong>'s "2013 Track of the Year" <a href="http://www.gillespetersonworldwide.com/worldwide-awards-2013-the-winners/" target="_blank">Worldwide Award</a> for his left of field club hit "<a href="http://www.okayplayer.com/news/andrew-ashong-theo-parrish-flowers-mp3-stream.html" target="_blank">Flowers</a>," British-Ghanaian singer/songwriter <strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Andrew-Ashong/491671087552502?fref=ts" target="_blank">Andrew Ashong</a></strong> has made waves slowly but surely. Two years post-starting out on DJ legend <strong>Theo Parrish</strong>'s Detroit label <strong>Sound Signature</strong>, Ashong has released his languid, jazz-infused three track EP entitled <em>Special.</em> On "Love The Way," Ashong layers his smooth vocals over twinkling keys and a house-tinged beat. As a whole the EP effortlessly plays with the rise and fall of subtle climaxes, bringing an almost psychedelic sensibility to music that undeniably stems from soul roots. </p><p><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/117831515&color=8e56e0&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true" width="100%"></iframe></p><p>The six minute "Special" sees Ashong blending delicately woozy vocals with melancholy guitar riffs, in the process allowing him to carve out a soundscape entirely his own. Ashong's music is as consistent and carefully considered as his steady rise to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/dec/13/andrew-ashong" target="_blank">underground stardom</a>, which is perhaps a rise that signals new directions for UK soul. The <em>Special</em> EP arrived last month via <strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/whichwayrecords" target="_blank">Which Way Records</a></strong>. Listen to the title track and watch an acoustic rendition in the latest <a href="http://yourstru.ly/videos/2014/02/18/andrew-ashong/" target="_blank">Yours Truly</a> session below.</p><p><div class="preroll-video"></div><ora-player></ora-player></p><p><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/117831516&color=8e56e0&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true" width="100%"></iframe></p><p>
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