(Love From London is an ongoing series where correspondents Alex Kenning and Izzy Lawrence introduce us to bands generating excitement across the pond.)
Roberto Fonseca has already established himself as one the standout pianists of our time.
He comes from Cuba and over the last few years, he has worked on projects will Gilles Peterson (The Havana Cultura project), Ibrahim Ferrer & Cuban singer Danay.
The first time I saw Fonseca was in and swanky Jazz café in Cuba in 2009.  I was out there making a documentary with Gilles and Roberto’s fantastic …

(Love From London is an ongoing series where correspondents Alex Kenning and Izzy Lawrence introduce us to bands generating excitement across the pond.)
Hint has been a Tru Thoughts staple for a good few years. He rose through the ranks & released his debut album on Ninja Tune in 2002 (and recorded a session for John Peel that year).
T Fly hails from Austin and it was Austin Hip Hop Cipher – a charity community project which helps young performers explore their musical talents — who hooked this up this collaboration.
Hint’s album …

(Love From London is an ongoing series where correspondents Alex Kenning and Izzy Lawrence introduce us to bands generating excitement across the pond.)
Zemmy is a singer/songwriter originally from Nigeria. She has been based in London for the best part of 15 years and has been honing her unique twist of pop with catchy melodies and great lyrics.
If comparisons need to be made, there are bits of Sia, Sade & Dido in there, along with influences of church hymns and classical music from her school days.
It’s early days as Zemmy has …

New York record label RVNG (as in Revenge) Intl launched a project called FRKWYS (think Freakways) a while back. The aim of the project is to pair up contemporary musicians with their progenitors.
For the ninth instalment, L.A’s Sun Araw and M Geddes Gengras have collaborated with The Congos (who played with Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry) & have created a brilliant album called “Icon Give Thank”.
If this first taster track is anything to go by, it’s going to be a brilliant album. It’s a bit of a risk to call your tune …

Kumi is an exceptionally mulit-talented singer songwriter and producer based in London.
Her influences are broad – possibly explained by the fact she was born to a Japanese father, an Italian mother and is very much a citizen of the World.
She has a unique and distinctive vocal talent, which can range from intimate and delicate to intense and powerful. She writes her own lyrics and music, using a wide range of standard instruments, and draws on other sounds from everyday life (including empty crisp packets!).
Kumi is a name you’ll be hearing …

Gil Scott Heron, a poet and songwriter who passed away last year, has inspired countless musicians and it’s great to see his spirit living on through the new generation. We know very little about her, but J’Danna is just 15 years old and from London. And if this is a sign of what’s to come, then I’ll happily wait patiently!
J’DANNA – Winter in America (Gil Scott-Heron Tribute) by 2morrows Victory Records
I’m also feeling Joey’s cover of “Revolution”, probably Heron’s best known track.
Both songs are available as free downloads …

Dems are a trio that you’ll definitely be hearing more from in the next few months.
The have a track that’s just about to be released called “House” on Bad Life. It’s a track which holds great emotion to it and with slightly ambiguous lyrics there’s a bit of added mystery and intrigue. They’ve just released the video for this track, which they produced themselves.
The first time I heard it was live, in a small basement venue in East London’s Shoreditch, with an intimate crowd – it was the third or …

Charlene Soraia is someone who has been on my radar for a good few years.
Back in 2008, I was producing a radio show called The Selector, which celebrated the best in new British music. I went to an open mic night in a pub in London’s Finsbury Park and was lucky enough to witness Charlene Soraia I bought a demo CD at the end of her set and we began to play her music on the show.
Fast forward to now, she covered The Calling’s “Whereever You Will Go”, (which was …

Almost as if it’s going out of fashion, Lianne La Havas rises to our attention with a brilliant tune called “No Room For Doubt”.
A simple live set up with drums and keys, Lianne’s singing voice carries the songs.
Aged just 22 she has a very bright future ahead of her, she’s just about to embark on a tour which can only help to expand her increasing fan base..
Lianne writes a sweet little blog which adds an extra side to her personality.
The debut EP is due out on November 21 and includes …

Anchorsong hails from Tokyo, Japan and has been living in the UK for four years now. He’s recently signed a deal with Brighton’s Tru Thoughts label.
Plum Rain by Anchorsong
Part of the new generation of live beat makers, Anchorsong creates his music completely live using an Akai MPC controller along with a Korg digital synthesizer to craft music in front of his audience. It’s almost like watching a painter drawing on a blank canvas.
Growing up, he played guitar in a few different bands but decided to go it alone …