Sunday, October 29, 2017

Zara McFarlane - Peace Begins Within (BROWNSWOOD RECORDINGS October 2017)


Following the release of her much-lauded third album Arise, Zara McFarlane announces new single ‘Peace Begins Within’. Exploring the musical possibilities of her British-Jamaican identity, it’s seen her – backed by some of London’s best and brightest musicians – bridging the lines between soulful roots reggae and inclusive, open-ended UK jazz.

The track is a cover of Nora Dean, a Jamaica-born vocalist who put her name to a spate of sweetly-sung roots and lovers rock in the ‘70s and ‘80s. With Zara putting her spin on the 1971 original, the format of the single nods to that heritage: with a dinked centre (requiring adapter), it also comes backed with a reggae version on the b-side. Tracing the musical heritage of the Caribbean, it’s another side to her interconnected vision of the diaspora.

The album has been supported by Benji B on Radio One, David Rodigan on 1xtra and Zara has been interviewed on NTS, Worldwide FM and Soho Radio. The album has also received big support from magazines across the board (see press quotes below).

The physical release is a limited edition 7"

*Tracklist*

1. Peace Begins Within
2. Peace Begins Within (Reggae Version) (7" Edit)
3. Peace Begins Within (Reggae Version)