Sing to the Moon by Laura Mvula - DeepRiffs

ALBUM

Birmingham Conservatoire graduate and former music instructor Laura Mvula appeared in November 2012 with She, a four-song EP led by its title track. An elaborate and uplifting number -- part lullaby, part empowerment anthem -- "She" was unlike anything on the U.K. charts. It left an impression immediate and deep enough to land her a nomination for the BBC's Sound of 2013 poll. Sing to the Moon, her full-length debut, features "She" and builds upon that song's theatrical sound. It's rooted in decades-old forms of gospel, jazz, R&B, and, most deeply, orchestral pop. Almost all of the material is as serious and as refined as it is majestic, with vocal showcases and hushed-belted-hushed-belted dynamics galore. Taking in all the floating brass and drifting strings can be strenuous, but the tempo and mood perk up on the chiming romp "Green Garden," where Mvula drops the histrionics, loosens up, and projects pure joy: "Putting my bag down, taking my shoes off/Walk in the carpet of green velvet." "That's Alright," another wholly spirited number, opens with little more than tumbling drums and melodic hums as Mvula beams, "I will never be what you want, and that's all right/'Cause my skin ain't light, and my body ain't tight." The song then bursts with horns as the singer asserts, "Tell me, who made you the center of the universe?" and "What 'cha gonna do when I fly over you?" Although it's more admirable than it is enjoyable, Sing to the Moon marks the arrival of a unique and major talent -- one with a commanding voice seemingly from another dimension -- who should be worth watching for many years to come.

1. Like the Morning Dew

Bass: Andrew Pask
Andy Hamill
Paul Morgan
Alice Kent
Andy Pask; Performer
Bells: Steve Brown
Laura Mvula; Performer
Celesta: Laura Mvula; Performer
Arranger: Jules Buckley
Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Composer
Background Vocals: Steve Brown
Laura Mvula; Performer
Lyricist: Steve Brown
Laura Mvula; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Joel Davies; Production
Cello: Magdelana Pietraszewska
Rachael Lander; Performer
Drums: Troy Miller; Performer
Flugelhorn: Paul Spong; Performer
French Horn: Brendan Thomas
Hugh Seenman
Dave Lee; Performer
Harp: Vicky Lester; Performer
Organ: Laura Mvula; Performer
Composer: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Composer
Performer: Laura Mvula; Performer
Trombone: Neil Sidwell
Mark Nightingale
Ade Hallowell; Performer
Trumpet: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Viola: Triona Milne
Polly Wilshire; Performer
Violin: Cormac Browne
Vicky Lyons; Performer
Vocals: Laura Mvula; Performer
Engineer: Steve Brown; Production
Mastering Engineer: Dick Beetham; Production
Mixing Engineer: Richard Wilkinson; Production
Primary Artist: Laura Mvula; Main Performer
Producer: Steve Brown; Production

2. Make Me Lovely

Background Vocals: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Performer
Bass: Andy Hamill; Performer
Bass Guitar: Andy Hamill; Performer
Celesta: Laura Mvula; Performer
Cello: Rachael Lander
Magdelana Pietraszewska; Performer
Drums: Troy Miller; Performer
Harp: Rhian Hanson; Performer
Horn: Brendan Thomas
Dave Lee
Hugh Seenman; Performer
Performer: Laura Mvula; Performer
Arranger: Tom Richards; Composer
Composer: Laura Mvula; Composer
Lyricist: Laura Mvula; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ben Baptie; Production
Engineer: Steve Brown; Production
Mastering Engineer: Ray Staff; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tom Elmhirst; Production
Bass Guitar: Andy Hamill; Performer
Percussion: Matt Whittington; Performer
Piano: Laura Mvula; Performer
Trombone: Ade Hallowell
Mark Nightingale
Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Steve Sidwell
Andy Greenwood
Paul Spong; Performer
Tuba: Kevin Morgan; Performer
Viola: Triona Milne; Performer
Violin: Vicky Lyons
Maria Ryan
Cormac Browne; Performer
Vocals: Laura Mvula; Performer
Programmer: Tom Elmhirst; Production
Unknown Contributor Role: Laura Mvula; Other
Primary Artist: Laura Mvula; Main Performer
Producer: Steve Brown; Production

3. Green Garden

Bass: Andy Hamill; Performer
Composer: Laura Mvula; Composer
Bass Guitar: Steve Brown; Performer
Bass Guitar: Steve Brown; Performer
Bells: Laura Mvula; Performer
Arranger: Willem Friede; Composer
Background Vocals: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Performer
Lyricist: Laura Mvula; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Sam Klempner; Production
Glockenspiel: Steve Brown; Performer
Performer: Laura Mvula; Performer
Shaker: Steve Brown; Performer
Tambourine: Steve Brown; Performer
Vocals: Laura Mvula; Performer
Engineer: Steve Brown; Production
Mastering Engineer: Ray Staff; Production
Mixing Engineer: James Reynolds; Production
Programmer: Steve Brown
Laura Mvula; Production
Unknown Contributor Role: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Other
Primary Artist: Laura Mvula; Main Performer
Producer: Steve Brown; Production

4. Can't Live with the World

Bass: Andy Hamill; Performer
Celesta: Laura Mvula; Performer
Arranger: Laura Mvula; Composer
Background Vocals: Steve Brown
Laura Mvula; Performer
Lyricist: Steve Brown
Laura Mvula; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ben Baptie; Production
Cello: Rachael Lander
Magdelana Pietraszewska; Performer
Drums: Troy Miller; Performer
Flugelhorn: Paul Spong; Performer
Harp: Vicky Lester; Performer
Horn: Brendan Thomas
Hugh Seenman
Dave Lee; Performer
Composer: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Composer
Performer: Laura Mvula; Performer
Piano: Laura Mvula; Performer
Trombone: Ade Hallowell
Mark Nightingale
Neil Sidwell; Performer
Viola: Triona Milne
Polly Wilshire; Performer
Violin: Cormac Browne
Vicky Lyons
Maria Ryan; Performer
Vocals: Laura Mvula; Performer
Engineer: Steve Brown; Production
Mastering Engineer: Dick Beetham; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tom Elmhirst; Production
Programmer: Tom Elmhirst; Production
Primary Artist: Laura Mvula; Main Performer
Producer: Steve Brown; Production

5. Is There Anybody Out There?

Background Vocals: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Performer
Bass: Andy Hamill; Performer
Celesta: Steve Brown
Laura Mvula; Performer
Cello: Nick Holland
Vikki Mathews; Performer
Clarinet: Roberto Manzin
Phil Todd
Martin Williams
Dave Bishop; Performer
Contrabass: Andrew Pask
Alice Kent
Paul Morgan
Andy Pask; Performer
Drums: Troy Miller; Performer
Flugelhorn: Andy Greenwood
Paul Spong
Steve Sidwell; Performer
Arranger: Rob Taggert; Composer
Lyricist: Steven Brown
Laura Mvula; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ben Baptie; Production
Engineer: Steve Brown; Production
Flute: Roberto Manzin
Dave Bishop
Martin Williams
Phil Todd; Performer
Harp: Vicky Lester; Performer
Horn: Paul Gardham
Phil Woods
Hugh Seenman; Performer
Piccolo: Phil Todd
Martin Williams; Performer
Composer: Steven Brown
Laura Mvula; Composer
Performer: Laura Mvula; Performer
Timpani: Matt Whittington; Performer
Triangle: Matt Whittington; Performer
Trombone: Ade Hallowell
Neil Sidwell; Performer
Viola: Nick Barr; Performer
Violin: Clare Howlick
Chris Clad
Jo Archard
Dermot Crehan; Performer
Vocals: Laura Mvula; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Ray Staff; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tom Elmhirst; Production
Programmer: Tom Elmhirst; Production
Primary Artist: Laura Mvula; Main Performer
Producer: Steve Brown; Production

6. Father Father

Background Vocals: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Performer
Drums: Troy Miller; Performer
Performer: Laura Mvula; Performer
Arranger: Jules Buckley; Composer
Composer: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Composer
Lyricist: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ben Baptie; Production
Engineer: Steve Brown; Production
Mastering Engineer: Ray Staff; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tom Elmhirst; Production
Percussion: Steve Brown; Performer
Piano: Laura Mvula; Performer
Vocals: Laura Mvula; Performer
Programmer: Tom Elmhirst; Production
Unknown Contributor Role: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Other
Primary Artist: Laura Mvula; Main Performer
Producer: Steve Brown; Production

7. That's Alright

Bass: Andy Hamill; Performer
Composer: Laura Mvula; Composer
Drums: Troy Miller; Performer
Arranger: Jules Buckley; Composer
Background Vocals: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Performer
Flugelhorn: Paul Spong; Performer
Lyricist: Laura Mvula; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Sam Klempner; Production
Keyboard: Laura Mvula; Performer
Performer: Laura Mvula; Performer
Trombone: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Paul Spong; Performer
Viola: Triona Milne; Performer
Violin: Vicky Lyons
Cormac Browne; Performer
Vocals: Laura Mvula; Performer
Engineer: Steve Brown; Production
Mastering Engineer: Ray Staff; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tom Elmhirst
James F. Reynolds; Production
Programmer: Tom Elmhirst; Production
Primary Artist: Laura Mvula; Main Performer
Producer: Steve Brown; Production

8. She

Bass: Laura Mvula; Performer
Celesta: Laura Mvula; Performer
Cello: Sarah Mcmahon; Performer
Arranger: Jules Buckley; Composer
Background Vocals: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Performer
Composer: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Composer
Lyricist: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ben Baptie; Production
Drums: Richard Marcangelo; Performer
Performer: Laura Mvula; Performer
Engineer: Steve Brown; Production
Viola: Cian O'duill; Performer
Violin: Sarah Sexton
Vicky Lyons; Performer
Vocals: Laura Mvula; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Dick Beetham; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tom Elmhirst; Production
Programmer: Laura Mvula
Tom Elmhirst; Production
Primary Artist: Laura Mvula; Main Performer
Producer: Steve Brown; Production

9. I Don't Know What the Weather Will Be

Bass: Andy Hamill; Performer
Cello: Vikki Mathews
Nick Holland; Performer
Arranger: Rob Taggert; Composer
Background Vocals: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Performer
Lyricist: Steve Brown
Laura Mvula; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ben Baptie; Production
Drums: Troy Miller
Laura Mvula; Performer
Flugelhorn: Paul Spong
Steve Sidwell; Performer
Harp: Vicky Lester; Performer
Horn: Phil Woods
Hugh Seenman
Paul Gardham; Performer
Composer: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Composer
Percussion: Laura Mvula; Performer
Performer: Laura Mvula; Performer
Timpani: Matt Whittington; Performer
Trombone: Ade Hallowell
Mark Nightingale
Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Steve Sidwell
Paul Spong; Performer
Viola: Nick Barr; Performer
Violin: Jo Archard
Clare Howlick
Chris Clad; Performer
Vocals: Laura Mvula; Performer
Engineer: Steve Brown; Production
Mastering Engineer: Ray Staff; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tom Elmhirst; Production
Programmer: Tom Elmhirst; Production
Primary Artist: Laura Mvula; Main Performer
Producer: Steve Brown; Production

10. Sing to the Moon

Bass: Andy Hamill; Performer
Bells: Laura Mvula; Performer
Arranger: Tom Richards; Composer
Background Vocals: Laura Mvula; Performer
Lyricist: Steve Brown
Laura Mvula; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ben Baptie; Production
Cello: Rachael Lander
Magdelana Pietraszewska; Performer
Drums: Troy Miller; Performer
Harp: Vicky Lester; Performer
Horn: Dave Lee
Hugh Seenman
Brendan Thomas; Performer
Shaker: Matt Whittington; Performer
Theremin: Steve Brown; Performer
Triangle: Matt Whittington; Performer
Composer: Steve Brown
Laura Mvula; Composer
Performer: Laura Mvula; Performer
Trombone: Mark Nightingale
Ade Hallowell; Performer
Trumpet: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Viola: Triona Milne; Performer
Violin: Vicky Lyons
Maria Ryan
Cormac Browne; Performer
Vocals: Laura Mvula; Performer
Engineer: Steve Brown; Production
Mastering Engineer: Ray Staff; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tom Elmhirst; Production
Programmer: Tom Elmhirst; Production
Primary Artist: Laura Mvula; Main Performer
Producer: Steve Brown; Production

11. Flying Without You

Background Vocals: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Performer
Cello: Vikki Mathews
Nick Holland; Performer
Contrabass: Alice Kent
Paul Morgan
Andrew Pask
Andy Pask; Performer
Drums: Troy Miller; Performer
Horn: Hugh Seenman
Phil Woods
Paul Gardham; Performer
Performer: Laura Mvula; Performer
Arranger: Ben Cotrell; Composer
Composer: Laura Mvula; Composer
Lyricist: Laura Mvula; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ben Baptie; Production
Engineer: Steve Brown; Production
Mastering Engineer: Ray Staff; Production
Piano: Laura Mvula; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Tom Elmhirst; Production
Trombone: Ade Hallowell
Mark Nightingale
Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Paul Spong; Performer
Viola: Nick Barr; Performer
Violin: Jo Archard
Clare Howlick
Chris Clad
Dermot Crehan; Performer
Vocals: Laura Mvula; Performer
Programmer: Tom Elmhirst; Production
Unknown Contributor Role: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Other
Primary Artist: Laura Mvula; Main Performer
Producer: Steve Brown; Production

12. Diamonds

Bass: Andy Hamill; Performer
Cello: Sarah Mcmahon; Performer
Arranger: Ben Cotrell; Composer
Background Vocals: Laura Mvula; Performer
Lyricist: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ben Baptie; Production
Drums: Troy Miller; Performer
Flugelhorn: Paul Spong; Performer
Glockenspiel: Steve Brown; Performer
Harp: Vicky Lester; Performer
Composer: Laura Mvula
Steve Brown; Composer
Performer: Laura Mvula; Performer
Piano: Laura Mvula; Performer
Trombone: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Vibraphone: Steve Brown; Performer
Viola: Cian O'duill; Performer
Violin: Sarah Sexton
Vicky Lyons; Performer
Vocals: Laura Mvula; Performer
Engineer: Steve Brown; Production
Mastering Engineer: Ray Staff; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tom Elmhirst; Production
Programmer: Tom Elmhirst; Production
Unknown Contributor Role: Laura Mvula; Other
Primary Artist: Laura Mvula; Main Performer
Producer: Steve Brown; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

12 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

49 minutes and 34 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1000x1000 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

3/12 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

R&B, Soul, Adult Alternative

Label

RCA Records Label

Music Distribution Service

Sony

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Feb 28, 2013

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

886443693319