Jazz and Neo-Soul Artist Alba Plano Releases New Single 'I Hope'

London-based jazz and neo-soul artist Alba Plano has shared her latest single 'I Hope' via Sunrise, taken from her upcoming EP White Lotus, and follows her debut single 'Out There'. For the last two years, Plano has fronted Forever Amy, a project featuring Amy Winehouse's original band, touring and performing in large venues throughout Europe and the UK. She has performed backing vocals for Ninja Tune's Jordan Rakei and has collaborated with a host of accomplished musicians such as Dale Davis (bass player and musical director for Amy Winehouse, Tina Turner and Freak Power), Jim Hunt (sax for Richard Ashcroft, Brand New Heavies, Noel Gallagher, Jamiroquai) Troy Miller (drummer and producer for Laura Mvula, Becca Stevens, Jamie Cullum) and with a previous project opened for Elio e le Storie Tese at Shepherds Bush Empire.

The Sicilian-born songstress has been singing since her teens, and began her jazz vocal studies in her early twenties with acclaimed vocalists such as Norma Winstone, Kurt Elling, Barry Harris, Bob Stoloff, Joe Blake and Maria Pia De Vito, encouraging her to experiment with using her voice as an instrument, and leading to a fascination with contemporary jazz.

Stylistically comparable to Solange, Esperanza Spalding and Erykah Badu, Plano draws influence from a wide array of artists, including Becca Stevens, Gregory Porter, Lianne La Havas, and Jill Scott, and is also strongly influenced by Nina Simone, Bobby McFerrin and many other jazz singers. Her passion for hip-hop and neo-soul is also strongly evident. The upcoming EP, White Lotus was co-produced and co-written by Alba Plano and Karme Caruso (Omar, Maverick Sabre, Karyn White), with some of the lyrics co-written by Davide Shorty (Retrospective for Love, Mr Jukes).

White Lotus EP delivers a sound that will unite both loyal classic jazz and neo-soul listeners alike. With its intimate tones, simple and honest melodies combined with soulful harmonies, it creates a compelling new sonic mix. The album will feature Karl Rasheed-Abel, David Mrakpor, Luca Faraone, Michael Castellanos, Joao Caetano, Julian Mazzariello, Dario Deidda, Enzo Zirilli, and Stefano Costanzo, Amadu Kholifa, Jim McCrae, Alessandro La Barbera, Jim Hunt, Graeme Flowers and Chris Webb.

Alba Plano's latest single 'I Hope' is a sophisticated journey through expression and self-reflection; swimming among hazy, dreamlike backing vocals, Plano's delicately clear, yet astonishing vocal delivery summons a jazzy, atmospheric head-nodder. Plucked, reverberated guitar scales soar amidst deep, confident basslines and clear-as-day pianos creating otherworldly, textural auras and undeniable immersive emotion.

Commenting on the new single, Alba states: "We can not go back in time, we can not cancel or regret the experiences we've had because these have changed our perspectives. We can only bring with us the most beautiful memories that sweeten our soul so as not to ever lose hope of finding love again."

Co-producer Karme Caruso adds: "'I Hope' is probably the most comprehensive track of this EP, in terms of presenting all Alba's influences that create her crossover sound. From the jazz elements, the soulful melodies and the modern sound of aminimal backbeat and the synthesizers towards the end of the track, all enriched with a grand and complex vocal architecture, from beautifully harmonised pads to polyrhythmic call-and-response backing vocals - we had so much fun arranging all this!"

Stream "I Hope" here.

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