Since taking home Gilles Peterson's "2013 Track of the Year" Worldwide Award for his left of field club hit "Flowers," British-Ghanaian singer/songwriter Andrew Ashong has made waves slowly but surely. Two years post-starting out on DJ legend Theo Parrish's Detroit label Sound Signature, Ashong has released his languid, jazz-infused three track EP entitled Special. On "Love The Way," Ashong layers his smooth vocals over twinkling keys and a house-tinged beat. As a whole the EP effortlessly plays with the rise and fall of subtle climaxes, bringing an almost psychedelic sensibility to music that undeniably stems from soul roots.
The six minute "Special" sees Ashong blending delicately woozy vocals with melancholy guitar riffs, in the process allowing him to carve out a soundscape entirely his own. Ashong's music is as consistent and carefully considered as his steady rise to underground stardom, which is perhaps a rise that signals new directions for UK soul. The Special EP arrived last month via Which Way Records. Listen to the title track and watch an acoustic rendition in the latest Yours Truly session below.
