Music

Soulection

The Los Angeles label releasing sultry beats, with an exclusive mix from Andre Power

"We truly believe in finding artists who have the 'sound of tomorrow'," Soulection co-founder Andre Power says. Listen to its output over the last four-plus years and you'll certainly feel as though its living up to expectations.

The creation of Power, Los Angeles DJ/radio host Joe Kay and visual artist Guillame Bonte (although he's no longer involved), Soulection's the label to delve into if you're after lush, crunching beats. Bass-laden hip hop, r'n'b, trap and baile funk all feature in the back catalogue, whether it's the Aussie shine of Ta-Ku's '24', the Latino grooves of Sango's 'Da Rochina' or the silky smooth instrumentals of IAMNOBODI's debut record 'Elevated'.

Originally a radio show and blog to share music, photography and art, the record label only came into being when radio listeners increased and Sango, Ta-Ku, San Diego artist Abjo and French producer Evil Needle expressed interest in using it as a platform for their music. Since then, though, the release rate's been prolific. Wicked material's come from Lakim, J-Louis, Waldo, Esta and Mr Carmack, the White Label series is 14 releases deep and some of the industry big wigs have been sniffing around.

"There's been many signs along the way that things were going well," Power tells us. "We heard Soulection was being talked about in major label meetings, artists and brands who we collectively respected started reaching out to us, and I feel things like those were signs of the great things yet to come."

This year's definitely seen those "things" arrive. Scottish youngster Sam Gellaitry released the shattering 'Short Stories' EP, a North American homecoming tour's been completed (including a showcase at SXSW) and their European tour kicked off on May 7 in Paris.

Soulection might be growing in stature but Power makes one thing clear: "We're all about staying humble along the journey, and never forgetting our values."

Check out his exclusive mix below for a feel of what the label's about and grab tickets for the European tour here.

J-Louis x IAMNOBODI - Area Codes Jo Def - Wednesday Night Jesse Boykins III - Show Me Who You Are Abjo x JR Jarris - Golden Vibes Elhae - Golden SPZRKT & Sango - Lonliest Times (Ikaz Boi remix) Mr. Carmack - Fluxed Out Future - Move That Dope (Lakim remix) Sango - Fica Calainha (K-Wash remix) Lakim - Get Out On Your Own Oshi - Thank You SPZRKT & Sango - Soon Enough Da-P - Crisis Chris McClenney - Booty On The Floor Esta - ByYour Side (Always) SirOJ - Directions (Jarreau Vandal remix) Orijanus - 72 KR - Love 4 You JR Jarris - Love Be Like feat Masego Jay Prince - Good Right Now PyrmdPlaza - Dragon