Artist: Traffik
Release: Soul of the Streets EP
Label: Barefoot Records / Chosen Warrior Music

If you’re in need of some soul soothing tunes to alleviate the stresses of daily life, then Melbourne singer/songwriter Traffik is what you have been waiting for. Having just wrapped up a mammoth US tour which included a performance at the International Soul Summit at personal invitation of the event’s organisers, Traffik is now preparing for the release of his sublime debut EP ‘Soul of the Streets’. This is a deeply personal release from an artist who will captivate you with his honesty, depth and lyrical strength.

Citing a list of influences including the great Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Sly & the Family Stone and Funkadelic, Traffik started off in the biz touring Europe and the U.K. at the age of eleven with the first Australian choral group to ever sing in Westminster Abbey. Entering the Melbourne music scene in 1995 as a talented and passionate teen, his mentor Hip Hop/ RnB pioneer DJC has been a leading figurehead in Melbourne music circles for over two decades. It was at DJC’s late night Jammin’ sessions at Melbourne radio station PBS FM where Traffik soaked up his knowledge of ground breaking R n B, Funk and Hip Hop.

Putting in miles of hard work over the years performing and penning tunes for various artists, Traffik has established a reputation for quality. He has received a personal invitation to work with Rico Wade of Organized Noize (the crew behind the success of Outkast, the iconic Goodie Mob, TLC's 'Waterfalls', En Vogue's 'Don't Let Go' and Ludacris' 'Saturday Ooh Ooh’). Also widely recognised on the Australian music scene for his song writing abilities, Traffik has written songs for Ian Kitney of Tim Roger’s Temperance Union as well as ARIA Award winning DJ Wasabi (Fortknight Productions, Combat Wombat). Traffik’s powerfully intimate performances have seen him lend supports to international heavy weights Ziggy Marley, DJ What!!, Sly & Robbie, Luciano and Mikey General to name a few. 

Teaming up with producers MOMO from Diafrix and Mikey Chan (TZU, Phrase, Illy), Traffik’s ‘Soul of The Streets’ is as smooth as chocolate - if not smoother - combining subtle Hip Hop elements which work hand in hand with his soulful tone and allegiance to the Funk. ‘Soul Of The Streets’ showcases Traffik's warm and sultry vocal range which moves over rich melodies and smooth rhythms combined with deeply emotive lyrics.

The EP’s opener ‘Letitdefuggo’ eases us into the myriad of velvet melodies. Like every track on the EP, ‘Letitdefuggo’ is deeply personal: an expression of Traffik's desire to let go of personal baggage he's collected through his life as a result of traumatic childhood experiences and destructive relationships as an adult. The first single from the E.P. 'The Angel' is pure poetry in motion. Both a powerful and sensual song with dark under tones, Traffik is doing women the world over a favour in subtly posing questions through prose. The B-side to the first single is a duet called 'Let Me In Your Heart' which features the vocals of Melbourne Soul-sister, Nadee. Known for her work with Diafrix and Blue King Brown, 'Lady' Nadee has also supported guitar legend, Santana. Proving that there is no substitute for pure musical chemistry, ‘Let Me In Your Heart’ was written in fifteen minutes and recorded in under 8 hours. The result is a playful, gentle bass driven track - a real gem

‘Soul of the Streets’ is a classy affair, promising to be the one of the most authentic Neo-Soul releases to come out of Australia in years. A true representation of the artist, Traffik says of the EP:

“We're cookin' up Soul Food...and this is just the appetiser!”

With 15 years live experience, a powerful guest appearance on the new Diafrix hit, ‘So Upset’ and anticipation building for the release of his genre-fusing, full-length debut album, ‘The Signs’, Traffik is making it clear why he is indeed, the Soul Of The Streets.

 To purchase Traffik's EP 'Soul of the Streets' - http://itunes.apple.com/au/album/soul-of-the-streets/id328992296