Cat Mayel's "FREE" arrived, not on a silver platter, but more like a rogue pigeon delivering a very important message – a crumpled napkin with profound scribbles. This Nigerian producer, composer, arranger, and all-around sonic sorceress has served up a single dose of alternative neo-soul that feels… well, free. As free as a shopping cart with a wonky wheel, anyway. It goes where it...

In the contemporary R&B scene, however, a fresh voice emerges from the Byron Bay shores in Australia. The first part of this year has seen the debut EP from Billie Skye – a 19-year-old prodigy - who takes her place as an emerging star with beautiful R&B moments. For Billie Skye, a person who grew up in a family where music flows through his veins; her...