Kofi – Black… With Sugar

Kofi’s Black… With Sugar is one of the great modern masterpieces of lovers rock released on Ariwa Sounds, the legendary boutique label and four-track recording studio that was run out of producer Mad Professor’s living room in Thornton Heat. Kofi started her career as a teen in the highly influential and chart topping Brit-reggae group Brown Sugar in the late 70’s. Black… With Sugar features a beautiful rework of one of their hits, the soul-jazz classic “Black Pride” that was released when the singer was just 16. Other highlights include the ultra-sweet and stunning “Didn’t I”, which features Kofi’s heavenly vocals over a masterfully produced drum machine beat from Mad Professor and cute fluttering keys. The record as a whole is amazing, but the last really mentionable cut is “Looking Over Love”, which is possibly our collective favorite on here. The track contains an unidentifiable nostalgic quality, possibly aided by the McDonalds jingle reference, that manages to open the floodgates to old memories. A highly recommended and essential listen for those interested in diving into lovers rock or anyone who loved the recently reviewed Motion LP.

-DM

Recommended – A1 Black Pride, A4 Didn’t I, B2 Looking Over Love