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One to watch: Ruthven
Fresh from supporting Sampha on tour, former firefighter Sean Nelson’s distinctive falsetto, keen grooves and sense of fun light up his debut album
Now labelmate Ruthven brings his own take on the decade, journeying into the instrumental intricacies of Prince and the vocal melodies of Michael McDonald with his forthcoming debut album, Rough & Ready. A former firefighter from south London, Ruthven – real name Sean Nelson – spent quiet shifts writing demos before responding to an open call for artists from the Paul Institute and releasing his debut single, Evil, in 2017. The experience shows on Rough & Ready ’s cohesive 12 tracks, which reference Jai Paul’s ear for close backing harmonies and Sampha’s staccato vocal delivery as well as carving Nelson’s own sound through a deep syncopated groove.
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