Zara McFarlane – If You Knew Her (2014)

2014 album from the British Jazz vocalist, her second to be released on Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Recordings. This new, emotionally charged body of work sees her blossoming as a lyrically conscious songwriter, cementing what Until Tomorrow revealed - an artist composing original songs, telling her own stories, demanding attention for their daring brilliance. Eight of the 11 songs are beautifully crafted originals, which, says Zara, "collectively explores emotive stories of beauty, passion, love, vulnerability, empathy, boldness, directness and sensuality. Inspired by the many vibrant, amazing, charismatic black women in my life, it's an album that celebrates the strength of women, from the alpha female to the housewife".