Wah Wah 45s are proud to welcome a brand new voice to our fold. Lea Lea – a most powerful vocalist and lyricist, with a fierce and challenging style. Already getting rave reviews for her explosive live show, she was recently selected as an “Artist to Watch” by BBC Introducing, and in her short career has already managed to write songs for artists at DefJam, RCA, BBE records and Tru Thoughts, as well as performing on line-ups that have included Jay-Z, Beyonce, Roots Manuva and Little Dragon.
Her uncompromising, sassy style has drawn comparisons to Missy Elliot, MIA, Kelis and Grace Jones, but Lea Lea’s is really a one-off – at once alluring, charming and commanding. Writing songs that encourage dialogue and challenge female stereotypes, whilst being thoroughly entertaining, Lea Lea thrives on the darker side of music yet delivers her songs with an infectious warmth.
Progressively Warped
Her first single for Wah Wah 45s is a song about judgment and condemnation from those who only see life as either “Black or White”. It’s defiant and daring, made more so by bold brass that interplays with Lea Lea’s vocals, underpinned by uncompromising trademark beats.
Remixes to come courtesy of Japanese dupstep don Goth-Trad, Hospital Records beat technician Other Echoes and bass worrying French producer DJ iZem, making this a somewhat formidable package!
Her upcoming album is the result of her collaboration with producer/drummer Jack Baker (Bonobo/Alice Russell/TM Juke & The Jack Baker Trio). The pair started off making classic U.S.-inspired soul, which progressively warped into a darker, cinematic sound, besieged with powerful vocals and complex yet sparse production.
Modern in style, dramatic in production – Lea Lea is our new queen of dark electronic soul.
Reactions
“An artist to watch!” Mistajam (BBC Radio 1Xtra, UK)
“Lea Lea knocked me out!” Andrew Jervis (Bandcamp, USA)
“I think…i like it! Will try and feature on the BBC shows when I’m back at Late Junction next month!” Nick Luscombe (BBC Radio 3, UK)
“What an amaaaaaazing song ! And sound !!! Love the Goth Trad remix as well, chartin / playin” DJ Simbad (Brownswood, UK)
“Lea Lea’s first single, ‘AK47’, showed the singer to be a master of the dramatic and tense when it comes to pop music. ‘Black Or White’ continues in the same vein, with a video that is, big shock, black and white. Opening with the thud of drums worthy of any number of 80s epics, the introduction of forlorn and aggressive blasts of brass exaggerate the tension afford by Lea Lea’s voice. It’s a voice which is likely to become a distinctive feature in music over the next year or two, and the fact that she’s been picked up by boutique label and masters of hidden gems Wah Wah 45s is a good indication that Lea Lea has something a little bit special about her.” Gigwise.com (UK) http://www.gigwise.com/news/79917/david-bowie-alunageorge-best-new-tracks-of-the-week
“”Like this track. Feels like a movie soundtrack type of vibe… it’s a pleasure to play this!” Julie Adenuga (Rinse FM, UK)
“I included iZem’s remix in our monthly hotlist – http://i.mixcloud.com/CCRFED Julien Mourlon (Laid Back Radio, France)
“Big fan!” Jeremy Sole (Ubiquity / KCRW, USA)
“dark, brooding, cinematic soul” www.soulbounce.com (USA)
http://www.soulbounce.com/soul/2013/04/bounce-worthy_lea_lea.php
“Immediately kicks off with a monster rolling bass line and what sound like kitchen utensils. The buildup leads into a dark tech house body. This one is great for any opening set.” Earmilk.com (UK) on the Other Echoes Remix
“Expect to see a lot of London-based singer/songwriter Lea Lea in the near future. She’s poised on the brink, equipped with only a massive talent, big distinct sound, and striking stage presence. Her new single has just been released by smoking hot dance label Wah Wah 45s.” Maude Magazine
http://www.maudemagazine.com/lea-lea-take-some-time-to-stop-see/
“Sounds great. Will support the radio edit & iZem remix. Excellent stuff!” Diesler (Tru Thoughts / Freestyle / Record Kicks)
“A very elegant production!” Le Mellotron.com (France)
http://www.lemellotron.com/2013/03/04/dj-izem-lea-lea-black-or-white-remix/
“Refreshing! Definitely reminiscent of Ms Grace Jones. Diggin the original and Goth-Trad remix, will be supporting, thanks!” Jason Pulaski (KUCI FM, USA)
“Magic!” Azaxx, Tru Thoughts (France)
“Wow, this lady is deep!! Loving the Other Echoes rmx… Will be getting my support!!” Johnny Reckless (Colourful Radio, UK)
“Bombastic !! Just played it at radio” Robert Lochmann, Jazzmadass Radio (Germany)
“Very interesting EP we have hear and I’m especially loving the “Goth Trad Remix” remix and features on this week’s Basic Soul show.” Simon Harrison (Basic Soul, UK)
“Interesting lyrics and strong personality! The radio version will be good for my radio shows and the visionary Other Echoes Remix is good for my DJ sets. Excellent rework from Goth-Trad too!” Cesare Cera (Black Mighty Wax / Irma Records, Italy)
“A great release, the sound of LEA LEA is futuristic, soulful and dark – contrasts that accentuate each other. I love this bitter-sweet style of LEA LEA! Very nice!” Sven Thomschke / ‘Dr.Best’ (Radio Z, Germany)
“Love the video. Will blog it early next week. Respect!” Peter McLennan (Zew Zealand) http://dubdotdash.blogspot.com
“Wow! Lea Lea has just penned the official Kim Jong-un rallying of the troops type propaganda anthem. World domination on both their minds. Powerful stuff.” DJ Baz Hickey (Ireland)
“Brilliant! Great production and the hook has been stuck in my head since this morning.” Abe / Resonators (UK)
“Theatrical and dramatic is the main feeling in all versions and it’s good!” Georgios Paroglou (It’s Just Music! Greece)
“Really feelin’ the Goth-Trad remix !” Markus Milz (Further In Fusion, Germany)
“Certainly a grower, what an amazing voice wow !! Really liking the Goth-Trad and iZem remixes, will play the Goth-Trad version Sunday morning, biggup!” DJ Big Red (Kane FM, UK)
“I have to confess to not hearing Lea Lea before. I love what i hear now. Big things beckon for a big talent. Remixes are cool too.” Mickey Duke (Mile wide smile club, Brighton UK)
Radio play from Mistajam (BBC Radio 1Xtra); Julie Adenuga (Rinse FM, UK); Jason Pulaski (KUCI 88.9FM, USA); David Bassin (Freefallradio.com, San Fransisco, USA); Mans Stromberg (Radio Helsinki, Finland); Velanche Stewart (Urban Landscapes, NYC, USA); Toshio Matsuura (Radio “Tokyo Moon”, InterFM 76.1, Tokyo, Japan); Robert Lochmann, Jazzmadass Radio (Germany); Dr. Best (Radio Z 95.8, Germany)
