Life’s already been something of a rollercoaster for HELENA JESELE. Born in Manchester, and raised in Dublin, her childhood love of Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin ensured that an Art History degree and a day job involved in the art world would be supplemented by nights spent frequenting London’s top jazz joints such as Ronnie Scott’s and the Cafe Royale.
Jesele played a waiting game for a while, with sporadic gigging bringing her to the attention of NYC musicians/ production team Truth & Soul (see also Aloe Blacc) and them whisking her off to Brooklyn for an intensive writing/ producing spell. She’s since been working with producer Paul O’Duffy and – at the time of writing – a debut LP is gradually being pieced together.
The initial signs have been positive. Jesele’s first single (or ‘track’ if we must) ‘Let The Game Begin’ was a seductive slice of classy soul/ pop with just a hint of spy theme while its successor, ‘Sun Is Rising’ has a confident, distinctly ‘60s sheen which quickly gets under your skin. I should be able to say it’s ideal fare for a sun-kissed summer of romance, but the dogmatic British/ Irish weather currently has other ideas about that.
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Still, the shortcomings of the English summer can hardly be laid at Helena Jesele’s door, so instead concentrate on her smart, sassy pop and her smouldering good looks. When allied effectively, such a combination can still move mountains in this game and her two opening salvoes suggest she’s in with a more than fair chance.
Helena Jesele online
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