Tag - Randa and The Soul Kingdom

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Tag - Randa and The Soul Kingdom

Randa & The Soul Kingdom - What You Need - out on Freestyle Records

Monday 26 September 2011, 11:24

Randa and The Soul Kingdom What You Need

Randa & The Soul Kingdom - What You Need
(CD/LP/Digital) Freestyle Records FSRCD088/FSRLP088, 2011-09-26

Hailing from Perth and firmly at the forefront of the Australian funk and soul scene are Randa And The Soul Kingdom led by Jordanian born and Australian raised soul sister Randa Khamis. With producer Lance Ferguson (The Bamboos, Cookin On 3 Burners, Lanu, Black Feeling) at the controls of the debut self titled album, the result was bristling with edgy, gritty funk and soul. Instead of flying straight back to Australia after the tour, Randa spent 6 months residing in London collaborating with funk/soul artists to write her second album. Inspired and influenced by the music and musicians in London, the second album What You Need was born. Finally back in Melbourne, Australia she went straight into The Shed Studios where the songs were recorded and produced by Lance Ferguson and John Castle (Megan Washington) once again at the controls. Whilst retaining the funk undercurrent, this new album also often incorporates elements of 60's and Northern soul, 70's disco and some more down tempo, reflective moments within what is a varied and mature collection of songs.

Randa & The Soul Kingdom - The Things - out on Freestyle Records

Monday 13 June 2011, 13:01

Randa & The Soul Kingdom - The Things
(12"/Digital) Freestyle Records FSR092, 2011-06-13

Born in Jordan, raised in the working class suburbs of Perth, Australia, singer Randa Khamis caught the black music bug early. At the age of 12 she was talking her way into local clubs, desperate to dance to the sounds of James Brown, Parliament, Kurtis Blow, Ann Sexton and Aretha Franklin. Totally entranced by the music she heard, Randa decided then in her early teens that she could, would, and must become a soul singer. Randa and the Soul Kingdom released the self-titled debut album on Freestyle Records to great acclaim, and sell out shows in the UK and Europe soon followed. Now in 2011 Randa returns with her second album, produced by Aussie music legend Lance Ferguson (The Bamboos, Cookin On 3 Burners, Lanu), What You Need (FSRCD/LP088) which whilst still tinged with a gritty funk feel also delves into the 1960's stomping soul arena, but this track, The Things also taken from the forthcoming album, allows Randa works out her disco diva muscles to quite stunning effect! Squelchy synths rides over an insistant disco beat, whilst Lance Ferguson's scratchy guitar evokes the heady, hedonistic era of Chic, Studio 54 and Bianca Jagger riding a white horse across the dance floor! The flip side it the totally exclusive OK_Ma Flavours version, beautifully excecuted by Randa's co writer, London based saxophonist and producer Jake Telford. This happening 12 inch single and download must surely be a big summer club anthem of 2011.

Randa and the Soul Kingdom - s/t

Monday 02 November 2009, 17:59

Randa and the Soul Kingdom - s/t
(CD) Freestyle Records FSRCD066, 2009-11-02

Debut outing for Australian soul sister Randa Khamis, a steamy brew of blistering funk, impassioned soul vocals, produced by down under funk supremo Lance Ferguson (The Bamboos/Cookin' On 3 Burners/Lanu). With The Bamboos producer at the controls, the resulting album absolutely bristles with edgy, gritty funk and soul. From the up tempo opener Feel It In Your Soul right through the entire collection, Randa's high octane vocals urge, push and provoke, none more so that on the killer 45 Not Gonna Let You (FSR7055) on which the blast of soulful horns will knock you sideways ... be warned! Having supported Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, The Bamboos and even Lionel Richie in Australia, they band have firmly established their credentials, and If Randa & The Soul Kingdom don't have you up and dancing in an instant with this brand new collection of 21st century deep soul - you had better check your pulse as you may already be dead! 1000% Essential!