The astonishing Eska
An album that should be nominated for a Mercury Prize, if there was any justice, because Eska's eponymous debut fuses influences drawn from her life and musical insprations. They make a classic of experimentation, soulful vocals and tuneful arrangements that give something new on every listen. A timeless release forged by the past and present to soundtrack our imminent future, makes it an essential for a spectrum of tastes. Buy it and find out All About Eska at http://www.eskaonline.com/
It is almost odd to have Eska as one of The Zine's Future Picks because she is, in reality, a genuine star already. They're not all household names.
Hailing from the Arts with Hearts central that is South East London, I was lucky to catch her at a friend's show some years ago when the Montague Arms in New Cross looked like a pirate's cove. She was utterly gob smacking. I don't even think the people at the back by the bar were nattering. It was a moment.
A few years later, she graced the UpRise Festival event that was all over Dalston in 2011. A community of unity, it also had a real ear for booking credible excitements (Hollie Cook, comedian Dane Baptiste - previously mentioned in this blog - Baby Sol to name only three!). If Eska is on the bill, do not miss her.
Brand new video, 'Shades Of Blue', from the album, would not sound out of place on national day time radio. With the positive feedback starting to flow for Eska, recognition for one of the UK's national treasure's can only grow.
Caffy St Luce.