The Pharaohs
In The Basement

New Zealand's Mara TK is a modern soul sensation. An alumnus of Red Music Academy in Toronto, TK is also the frontman for Electric Wire Hustle and has collaborated with many incredible musicians in his home country (Lord Echo, Julien Dyne) and globally (Om'Mas Keith, Waajeed, Steve Spacek). His debut album (self-produced!) is deeply emotive, with his buttery and pained vocals front and centre. The lyrics are deeply personal and touch on heritage, love, loss and healing. Must own for modern soul fans!

cktrl aka Bradley Miller is a key player in London’s pioneering musical underground, especially here on London's fast-rising label Touching Bass. cktrl plays heartfelt clarinet and saxophone-led soundscapes spurred on by "overpowering feelings of heartbreak" and a desire to push left-field Black music, and in doing so establishes himself as one to watch in the contemporary-classical music scene. One of the last OG DJs on NTS, he's also collaborated with Sampha, Sango and Dean Blunt. Gorgeous stuff.