Marcina Arnold: The Sound of Jazzy London

Released in November, this jazzy, latiny, UK-soul EP is easily one of the best of last year - and sure to get the February blues out of anyone.

Marcina is based in London where she was raised with her South African and Scot parents. Her interest seems to be most in Brazillian sounds, along with young UK jazz sensibilities.

She has recorded and performed with numerous artists such as Hugh Masakela, Airto, Mark de Clive Lowe, Grupo Batuque and many others. Arnold's band features some of London's best musicians and vocalists from the jazz, soul and "broken beat" scenes - Eska, Tom Herbert, Mpho Skeef and Jason Yarde. She released an album before this EP called "Twisted Blue Folk."

Released on Counterpoint Records, the EP is strong all the way through. "Blues for JCM" is a hip-hoppy, bluesy song about the killing of a Brazillian as he exited the London Tube, following the 2005 bus attacks. But Forefathers and Memory are the standouts, influenced by bossa and samba respectively and understanding rhythym and melody very well.

Marcina Arnold - Forefathers
Marcina Arnold - Forefathers