Version Xcursion x Amai Kuda debut This Is How single
Toronto, ON (May 14, 2019) – Today marks the release of the much anticipated debut single “This Is How” by Version Xcursion x Amai Kuda from their forthcoming collaborative Version Xcursion (VX) presents: Holding Back EP (June 21st) on the new SystemEcho Recordings label. SystemEcho Recordings is the product of Bristol, England born DJ/ producer Lee Castle aka Sassa’le, a veteran DJ, producer, and radio host, who took residence in Toronto in the nineties. Widely considered the Canadian industry link to the trip hop innovations of Massive Attack, Smith & Mighty, Tricky and Portishead that he grew up with back home, Sassa’le was chosen by Craig David as the only North American DJ to spin on his North American Tour in the early aughts. Fast forward to today, and Sassa’le’s trademark UK bass driven sounds landed in the lap of “afro soul” songwriter and vocalist Amai Kuda (means “mother to the will of the creator” in the southern African language Shona) whose earthy, ethereal vocals have gained her a broad range of fans and an even wider range of media accolades from her past projects that have included collaborations with everyone from Kinnie Starr to M1 (Dead Prez). The daughter of Canadian literary icon Nourbese Philip, Amai was lauded by Canada’s largest weekly Now Magazine for her last album in 2018 which was as much “about the disruptive forces of colonization and capitalism as it is about spiritual transformation and collective resistance”. The single “This is How” from these two musical mavens combines the haunting vocals of Amai over the emotional downtempo productions of Sassa’le, creating a unique sound and aesthetic.
