A soul-rooted alternative R&B artist who sings, writes, produces, and plays keyboards, Australian Jordan Rakei debuted in 2013 with Franklin's Room, a self-released six-track EP. A remarkably mature set, it displayed the ease with which Rakei can switch from classic soul ballads to reggae grooves. Rakei was busier in 2014, a year during which he issued the more R&B-oriented -- and D'Angelo-inspired -- five-track Groove Curse EP, including "A Tribe Called Government," a track that later appeared on the Sounds for the Reef compilation. He appeared on recordings by FKJ ("Learn to Fly"), Louis Baker ("Just Want to Thank You"), YesYou ("So Much to Give"), Ta-ku ("Sunrise/Beautiful"), and Alfa Mist ("Hopeful"). Most prominent of all was a contribution to Disclosure's Caracal ("Masterpiece"). Rakei released an accomplished album, Cloak, in 2016, followed in 2017 by Wallflower, the latter of which was released on Ninja Tune. ~ Andy Kellman