Haldi & ans Flamingo give new wings to the groove of Estonia's yesteryears. While in her early twenties, the lead singer, composer and co-producer Haldi has studied the bygone era's music and history in depth. She's especially interested in Estonian language and heritage mixing with soul, jazz, funk and disco influences that made their way into the estrada music of the 1970.-1980s. As a scholar of pioneers Marju Kuut, Velly Joonas, Heidy Tamme and Els Himma, Haldi believes the stylistic approach deserves a second chance in the free world, where a woman can sing about intimacy and love all she wants. So she's done just that with the co-writer, bass player and producer Mattias Tirmaste. They are joined by an ensemble of Flamingos complete with backing vocals, percussion and a horn section. "Õige aeg" (tr. The Right Time) is the group's début EP on Funk Embassy Records. The lengthy 6-tracker will be released digitally alongside audiophile friendly 180g vinyl, pressed in Estonia. Haldi & ans Flamingos recorded the music in old fashioned way under the supervision of Sten-Olle Moldau in Susi Studio and Sindi Seltsimaja. Those with an ear for beautiful vocal and pipe arrangements are in for a treat. There's something special in the way Haldi loves to layer her vocals and play around with the exotic Estonian language. Singles "Meile kahele" (tr. For the Two Of Us) and "Muusika" (tr. Music) have earned airplay around the world, more notably via Radioeins, FIP and Radio Capital. With uptempo discotheque material as well as songs for the bedroom, "Õige aeg" will be a worthy extension of Estonia's musical legacy into the modern times.

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Silky Steps hustles towards the scene trailblazed by Nile Rodgers, and currently held by the likes of Jungle, L'imperatrice and Parcels. The 5-piece hailing from Estonia's summer capital Pernau have their own concoction of neo-soul, nu-disco and pop-funk to offer, though. At the helm, a combo of male-female lead vocals sing about the X-rated side of life. Plentiful synths and suave basslines get all the right juices flowing. All the while a musical guest will pop in here and there to provide a sax solo, sing a ref or throw down a little rap. The latter is especially true for their upcoming LP "Universal Language," as 2023 sees the group step up their game in a big way. Their 2nd single "Fly, Goodbye" took off as the title suggests and got its first BBC 6 airplay on the revered Cerys Matthews show. Robert Linna of Lexsoul Dancemachine lent his falsetto to the latter track, while MC Roki raps on "Falling For You" and Rahel collabs on the title-track. In total, there are 10 tracks on the album that's put out digitally and on vinyl via Funk Embassy Records - the Estonian imprint that recently won Record label of the Year at the local music industry awards. More

The 8-track LP "Lexplosion II" provides fire power for the dancefloor with DJ-friendly, extended rhythm tracks. This is the third album by the flagship of Estonian boogie, disco and funk - Lexsoul Dancemachine. The 6-piece groove band took a fresh approach here, drawing inspiration from house and nu jazz. LSDM débuted with the street-funk LP "Deus Lex Machina" (2015), followed by the latin-jazz, disco LP "Sunny Holiday in Lexico" (2018). From these "Beef Grinder" and "Coconuts" have given the crew continual radio love from BBC and stations all over Europe. Evident from their UK-tour, Pori Jazz and Imagina Funk live shows, there's also no question that LSDM is a superb live band. Now, the essence of the Dancemachine has been captured on tape better than ever on "Lexplosion II" - a Solid Gold Sound Production recording. First time ever, Lexsoul Dancemachine invites international guests: the rubber-wristed guitar icon Cory Wong from US, and the Brazilian percussion maestro Luiz Black who's toured with James Brown and worked with the likes of Tim Maia, Joao Donato and Nicole Willis. "Carambola Jelly" has gotten the most love from DJs; "Nu Reality" has received multiple plays on BBC 6 and other singles "Entertainment" and "Money (feat. Cory Wong)" are getting regular airplay all over Europe. The record is out via Funk Embassy Records on vinyl and CD, and includes originally painted artwork by Estookin. She took on the task to paint multiple portraits of each band member and visualize the volcano you see on the 180g vinyl cover. The cardboard jakebox CD includes a poster, and is also graced by her painting that draws from the '80s photorealistic movie art. It opens up to form a 3D volcano! More

The 4-track "Lex On The Beach" is a balearic funk-soul EP by the Estonian group. In favor of a fresh flavor, we see Lexsoul drop the Dancemachine for a moment. To come up with these soulful, jazzy and R&B jams, the 6-piece channeled yacht rock and silky Miami Vice scenery. Pirouetting away from making people dance, Lexsoul manifests visions of summer. As your close personal advisors, we suggest you use this music in your slow living, dog days' playlist. "Lex On The Beach" doesn't only treat the listener with the sweet and smooth aural experience produced by Solid Gold Sound. It also appeals to the visual senses courtesy of digital painter Estookin. We saw her aesthetics on the band's previous "Lexplosion II" LP. She returns with artworks that accompany the EP released digitally and on vinyl. More

The debut album of the singer-composer Rita Ray from Estonia packs powerful, warm vocals and crisp production to go with it. "Old Love Will Rust" contributes 8 soul-heavy cuts to the current scene: it's got that slower, classic R&B side of affairs, as well as an uptempo disco delight, that keeps things tight. While miss Ray herself has credits in almost all aspects of the LP, it's a certified Solid Gold Production, led by Martin Laksberg of Lexsoul Dancemachine. Blue-eyed soul hasn't sounded so strong in ages! Rita Ray is a small-town girl whose vocal chords are hardened by a decade in choir singing, spirit toughened by the city life and a foundation built in jazz studies. She's the first contemporary soul diva to rise from the post-Soviet state. Her soul-stirring shows have yet to leave a heart cold - she'll have you in her palm to deliver tender melodies, irony-filled lyrics, catchy riffs and disco-stomping sessions. More