Somehow I feel out of place as I pass by diners enjoying high quality Swedish cuisine, dressed in ties, Agnes B dresses, and jackets with neatly folded handkerchiefs, however, the only way to enter Obaren (which sits at the back of Sturehof in the heart of Stureplan, Stockholm’s affluent social area) is through the restaurant.

Just released is Marie Dahlstrøm (DK) new single 'Without Our Time' produced by Alfa Mist. This is her first original song since her excellent debut EP Feelings and I'm pleased to say it doesn't disappoint.

In Kødbyn on November 18th, 2012, I was treated to the completion of a chapter of musical discovery. In October 2012, I heard on Urbanlife Radio.se (Scandinavian Soul) a track called “Sum O Sometimes” by a Danish artist, Nanna B.

The vinyl’s scratchy intro, the horns and the voice were compelling. I was immediately struck by a tightness and soulful feel combined with a summery, hopeful tone.

When the album became available for free digital download, I was there. I missed an earlier performance and was very disappointed in myself, but would I get a second chance? The 28th of November was just that chance.

Readers of my recent review of Sahra da Silva’s EP will know that I was more than impressed, rating it a full five stars. After that surprise, I was not expecting to be musically satisfied again so soon. I was, of course, expecting Nanna B’s new album Vitaphone to be good, having already heard the brilliant single “Sum O' Sometimes” and “Keep on Moving” and happily however, after listening to the album, it looks like I won't be coming down from the clouds just yet.

Maybe the term ‘classic’ only applies when the world agrees on it, but I'm going to put my neck on the line by saying Sahra da Silva’s new EP 'Sahra da Silva and the Jagged Soul' have created a timeless classic within the newly born genre we call 'Scandinavian Soul.'

When Sahra da Silva first appeared on the 'Denmarks Got Talent' 2010 audition (performing the song 'Soulmate' ), she sang cross-legged and bare-footed on the floor and left the stage to a standing ovation, and since then I've been eagerly awaiting her first release.

Whoever said 'image is everything' was almost right. Based on the album cover, Kamilia Amelie sure has style – luckily, so does her debut album, 'Come What May.'

Lykken Er...

We've been talking about this young Danish singer for a while and waiting excitedly for her debut album… and boy, does she deliver! Her 15-track album ‘Lykken er…’ (Happiness is…) has all the punch, vocal passion and energy we've come to love about this dynamic singer.

Whenever I talk about Scandinavian Soul I often refer to the individual countries encompassed – Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Finland – and the latter always provokes a raised eyebrow. It then feels great to be able to reveal the Finnish names who are working hard in the genre of soul such as Jo Stance, Tuomo and now I can add Oaklyn to the list… of course, I also refer them to this website for more information!

Oaklyn is a fresh Finnish collaboration between producer Sami Tammela (producer-keyboardist) and singer-songwriter Linda llves.

With heavy reggae undertones, Danish soul vixen Stine Kinck hits us with a harmony-fueled project of 11 tracks.

Stine first attracted my attention when I was out on the east coast of the USA. I was really knocked out by the stuff she was doing in collaboration with several New York musicians. Her amazingly confident, strong and sensual tones impelled me to find out more.

Denmark seems to be producing a stream of soul talent, a prime example is newcomer Bashir Billow Khalid (BILLOW) who has exploded onto the Scandinavian soul music scene with a stunning debut recording coupled with a cool video. The single, 'Mental Picture', does everything right, musically as well as visually. Could this be the first summer hit of 2012?