Sampha – Process (Yung Turks Recordings, 2017)
Known for his work with Drake, Solange and Frank Ocean, Sampha is a British singer- songwriter. In his debut album, Process, Sampha combines world music and authentic ballads with his soft, welcoming vocals in a way that will put you in a meditative state of bliss. In “Kora Sings,” Sampha blends tribal-like ballads with the sound of strings reminiscent of the guzheng, an Asian guitar. This track also blends electro rhythms and afro drum beats as it fades away to the noise of a storm in the jungle. A variation of instruments are used on this album, but the one that knows Sampha best is the piano. In his track “(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano,” he describes his love for the instrument since he played it in his mother’s home at the age of three. “You would show me I have something, some people call a soul,” he sings as his hands glide over the keyboard. Process showcases the passion and intimacy Sampha has towards music.
Trial Track: “Kora Sings”
Score: 9/10