Kingsley Ibeneche | photo by Kathryn Raines | via facebook.com/kibeneche

Listening to Kingsley Ibeneche‘s new EP, you’ll see why the artist describes his work as “soul music.” Ibeneche just released Realms on Astro Nautico records, and its five eclectic tracks are filled with the things that inspire him both as a musician and a dancer. Smooth vocals are paired with spoken word and jazzy saxophone to create a musical atmosphere that dwells on how personal music can be, and how it’s essential to community.

Ibeneche’s musical influences started in the church as a child and continued through his time studying dance at The University of the Arts and his career as a backup dancer. But his work as a solo artist is what enables him to let each bit of inspiration and emotion shine through to its fullest, and Realms is the best example of that we’ve heard so far.

Kingsley Ibeneche celebrates the release of the new record with a show upstairs at World Cafe Live on February 28. Find tickets and more info on the XPN Concert Calendar.