5 Songs I Love w/ Hadley Fraser

On the back of his brilliant new album with wondrous jazz lead single 'World On A String', we sat down with renowned musician and actor Hadley Fraser to learn all about the 5 songs he loves, exclusively for FLEX!

--

1. Philip Lassiter - Babayaga (ft. Mariah Meshae, David Paich)

When I first came across this track a few months ago I couldn’t stop listening. Like at all. 24/7. I think Philip Lassiter is such a talented guy - trumpeter, arranger, composer, producer - and this track shows why. The build through the track is astonishing, and the drops are just perfect. Terrific use of harmony, rhythm, arrangement, vocals. It’s funky, soulful, big, brash. I LOVE it.

2. MARO - há-de sarar

Portugese singer-songwriter Maro is another whose material I listened to on loop when I first found it. Her voice is addictive and her taste superb. This track in particular has a hypnotic groove that doesn’t let up. It gets under you skin (helped by some exquisite guitar playing from Darío Barroso and Pau Figueres). Her Tiny Desk concert is (as always) worth checking out.

3. Tom Misch - It Runs Through Me (feat. De La Soul)

This already feels like a modern classic. Tom Misch is putting out so much interesting stuff I think, and this right up there. His feel, his playing, his choice of collaborators (!) are all on point. We’ll be talking about this man for a long time.

4. Kurt Elling - Manic Panic Epiphanic

Kurt is the godfather of modern jazz vocalists. Voice, lyrics, presence, soul. He has the lot. This track with his project Superblue has got all of that in abundance. It’s not classic vocal jazz - but Kurt has always explored the boundaries off that genre, while respecting and often covering the classics himself. 

5. Madison Cunningham - Pin It Down (Live)

She’s just so good isn’t she? Writer, player, singer, performer. I don’t think I can think of many people I admire more. This is such a good track. I had tickets to see her at Islington not so long ago and couldn’t make it due to illness. I hope I’ll get the chance again.

Don't forget to stream Hadley's album and 'World On A String' in full here: