Sarah L King - The Light Ahead (2026) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. The Heron
02. Inner Child
03. April
04. Get My Fingers Burnt
05. Overjoyed
06. Ain't Gonna Rain
07. We've Gotta Find A Way
08. Never Can Say Goodbye
09. My Pointless Plan
10. Let Me Be The One You Love
11. Just A Little Lovin'
12. Like Leaves In The Wind

Sarah L King (vocals); Jim Watson (piano & keyboards); Laurance Cottle (electric bass); Jamie Murray (drums); James McMillan (trumpet & flugelhorn); Tommy Emmerton (electric guitar); Chris Traves (trombone)
Additional vocals: Marley J Wills & Claire Martin

King’s debut album Fire Horse released in 2024 will have caught many listeners by surprise; a new voice to many that was fully formed and having something new to say in a recording that mixed contemporary original songs with standards in a remarkably fresh manner.

With a critically acclaimed release behind her, Sarah L King has, with her new recording, proved that it was no fluke and that she is indeed a force to be reckoned with. Once again featuring original material with eight new songs, King has this time chosen to feature four covers from the pens of Stevie Wonder, Nicola Conte, Clifton Davis and Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, and once again the original compositions sit just fine alongside works by such distinguished song writers.

‘The Heron’ is the perfect opening number and sets the tone nicely for what it is to follow with its relaxed groove and mood, while ‘Ain’t Gonna Rain’ is immaculately conceived with a tight rhythmic feel and riff with just a little attitude in the lyrics and King’s delivery. This is combined with an excellent solo from guitarist Tommy Emmerton who also shines on another King original ‘Let Me Be The One You Love’ with Sarah’s laid back and heartfelt vocals.

Of the covers, Sarah L King serves up fine interpretation of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Overjoyed’ and ‘Like Leaves In The Wind’ by Nicola Conte with its lilting groove and joyous delivery, but once again it is perhaps the original material that sticks in the mind.

It would be amiss of me not to mention the sterling support from the rhythm section, and alongside Tommy Emmerton, both pianist Jim Watson and James McMillan on trumpet and flugelhorn provide some excellent solos; check out the swinging ‘Never Can Say Goodbye’ should there be any doubt.

Of the vocalist and composer, Sarah L King has a voice to luxuriate in; intimate, expressive and beautifully nuanced and able to engage the listener with her soft and velvety voice that can be as equally tough and compelling and a natural storyteller.

For those fortunate enough to be in the area, the launch concert for ‘The Light Ahead’ is on Thursday 26 March at World Heart Beat, London.

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