Jordan
Rakei signs to Ninja Tune and
unveils new single
Sorceress.At only 25, the New Zealand born multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and producer
is a rare talent whose distinct take on soul captures a sonic and emotional
awareness many artists spend their entire careers chasing.
Sorceress, the
first single taken from his forthcoming album, sees Jordan edging beyond the
peripheries of the genial, often sun-flecked sound his fans have come to know
him for. "It’s about how the ego can fully control the way you act and
perceive life,” he says.
Jordan’s whirlwind rise has been a predominately solo effort. His exceptional
musical ability (he writes, sings and plays most of the instrumentation on his
records himself) is accompanied by an unrelenting - yet agreeably humble -
ambition. His aptitude and knack for songwriting caught the attention of
tastemakers following the release of his 2014 EP
Groove Curse. His self-released
debut album
Cloak (2016)
lit the blue touch paper, earning him a coveted set at Pitchfork Avant-Garde Block Party2016 and supports for the likes of Jamie Woon and NAO. Drawing early support
from the Soulection crew, he has collaborated with Taku, Tom Misch, FKJ,
and lent vocals to the Disclosuretrack
Masterpiece (from their 2015 album
Caracal)
after the duo were tipped off by a friend who had seen Jordan play a tiny
basement bar in Australia. He is equally respected by the jazz fraternity -
collaborating with United
Vibrations (featuring Yussef Dayes of Yussef Kamaal fame), Richard Spaven(Flying Lotus, 4 Hero, José James) and Alfa
Mist.
Moving from Australia to London, Jordan met Bradley Zero, founder of South London
record label and party Rhythm
Section. Bradley encouraged him to try his hand at a collection
of dancefloor-driven tunes which became the EP
Joy, Ease, Lightness,
released by the label at the end of 2016 under the alias Dan Kye.
With a recent sold out date at KOKO in London this past April, Jordan has
established an incredibly diverse live show that he is set to take on the road
in Autumn across the US and Europe.
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