When I got an email about Black Porcelain, I got excited because I thought it was in reference to Universal recording artist, Porcelain Black (who’s song “This Is What Rock N Roll Looks Like” I’m currently obsessing over). It was not. Bummer. Then I gave her EP a listen and all traces of disappointment melted away as soon as she started singing. WOW. <3.
Black Porcelain is a South African pop/soul singer/songwriter in the midst of working on her forthcoming debut album, Invincible Summer. Lucky for us, Black Porcelain has put up a free 3-track EP, TheInBetween, on her SoundCloud page for us to download, and download I did. I highly recommend this lady! If I had to compare her sound to other artists I might say she’s a mix between Estelle, Erykah Badu, Mary J. Blige and Jill Scott. A pure pleasure to listen to, Black Porcelain infuses both R&B and electronica into a trippy, yet silky smooth sound. Give it a listen below and if you like what you hear – why not download it? It’s free after all! While you’re at it, check out THIS VIDEO of Black Porcelain recording the EP at Red Bull Studios in Cape Town . Pretty cool to see her do her thing in the studio, right?
TheInBetween by BlackPorcelain
Black Porcelain recorded this EP during a difficult time in her life, having just been unfairly fired from her job as a radio presenter and in the middle of a tiresome legal battle. Not only did all of this turmoil leave her virtually penniless, but emotionally drained as well – so much so that she couldn’t even write. While she was in the studio laying down vocals for a charity single (“Make It Count” – recorded for ARASA – AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa) she met producer O’ltak, who in turn offered her a beat called “Clowns Joy.” Channeling all of this pain and frustration it into songwriting again, Black Porcelain turned “Clowns Joy” into the autobiographical piece it is today. Another positive that came out of this whole process – Black Porcelain discovered electronic music, never having dabbled in it prior. Turns out it was a match made in heaven.
The second track on the EP, the electro-soul infused “Butterflies” has already received airplay all over Europe, including Germany, Belgium, Greece, Russia, Austria and more! Impressive feat for an unsigned artist, no? Black Porcelain is definitely deserving of my “Ones to Watch in 2011” label. Here’s hoping we see lots more of her in the coming months.