“The choir was one of the first places where a lot of us could just exist and be seen with each other,” singer and multi-instrumentalist Johnny Kulo tells Caroline Whiteley in The Wire 484, explaining the personal significance of joining A Song For You vocal ensemble after six years of living in Berlin.

Founded by musician Noah Slee and curator Dhanesh Jayaselan in 2022, the project was initiated to provide a creative home and network for vocalists and musicians of Berlin's BIPOC community. Here, members of the group share some of the music that has inspired them on their journey with A Song For You so far.

[Noah Slee]

Moses Sumney
“Quarrel”
From Aromanticism
(Jagjaguwar) 2017

The vocal stacking, production, all combined with the various musical components in this track create pure bliss. Heavenly! It was ringing in my subconscious during our process.

Sault
“Fight For Love”
From 11
(Forever Living Originals) 2022

From the more upbeat side of things, we wanted the project to feel organic; not placing such a huge emphasis on a ‘clean’ or a ‘perfect’ sound but rather the opposite. With so many people involved, it felt precious to protect this fragile notion but in the end we definitely found our sound.

[Dhanesh Jayaselan]

Nicholas Britell
“Agape”
From If Beale Street Could Talk
(Lakeshore/Invada) 2018

It became a super well-known track, but when I first heard this song watching the film If Beale Street Could Talk, it made me think about how powerful a moment of music could be in persuading emotion, altering perception, and telling a whole story through the intersection of different sonic mediums. The crossover of classical sounds, with a jazz pocket, and soulful feel was such an inspiration that drove the foundation of our sound. Simplicity is key here.

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson & Suite For Ma Dukes Orchestra
“Untitled/Fantastic (Live)”
From Timeless: Suite For Ma Dukes
(Mochilla) 2010

Again, this track features the fusing of soulful hiphop with classical arrangements and sounds, with a jazz pocket. Our aim is to kind of reimagine all of the music we love and put it together, so someone like Miguel Atwood-Ferguson is the perfect reference.

[S Fidelity]

Xavier Omär
“Not In LA”
From b l u r r
(self released) 2022

The sparse, acoustic, and open production of this track works perfectly. Plus, the back and forth motion between vocals and strings never ceases to stun me.

Sounds Of Blackness
“The Pressure Pt 2”
From The Evolution Of Gospel
(Perspective) 1991

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis producing this incredible gospel group has been one of my go-to records for years. The harmonic world of the song is so masterfully developed – just timeless.

[D.$ahin]

George Duke
“Love”
From Feel
(MPS) 1974

This is a song that I keep returning to over and over again. I feel that its writing and arrangement perfectly encapsulates the dynamic of something massive such as love. This song has everything: energy, softness, dynamism, tenderness, confusion, and certainty. And the vocal melodies are absolutely captivating.

Nai Palm
“Homebody”
From Needle Paw
(Masterworks) 2017

Nai Palm has had a massive influence on my songwriting – she’s the one who actually inspired me to pick up the guitar! This song in particular is so stripped back, and yet packed with such lush vocal arrangements and lyrical depth. At first it sounds so simple, but the moment it dives deeper it’s so easy to feel the power this track radiates. The chordal progression is so tasty.

[Allysa Grace]

Alfa Mist & Kaya Thomas-Dyke
“Breathe”
From Antiphon
(self released/Sekito) 2017/2021

This song has personally accompanied me throughout my years in A Song For You. It embodies all of my favourite aspects in a track – from a Rhodes-sustaining backbone, live rhythm section, soaring vocal melodies, string and horn arrangements (featuring tasty trumpet libs), and a whimsical piano exit – I just can't get enough.

BIGYUKI
“In A Spiral”
From Reaching For Chiron
(Universal) 2017

This gorgeous song features an A Song For You favourite, Yebba Smith. Between the immaculate vocal talent and the piano virtuosity, the power duet captures a grandiosity you can weep for.

[Johnny Kulo]

New Direction
“Til We Meet”
From Get Your Praise On
(Word Entertainment) 2000

Gospel music is the source; I find myself coming back to records released decades ago that still sound fresh.

NxWorries, Anderson .Paak, Knxlewdge featuring HER
“Where I Go”
From Why Lawd?
(Stones Throw) 2024

The production on this is just so locked in – really making the most out of bare bones. I always try to approach playing my instruments from a producer's point of view: finding the right spots and making sure every component is intentional.

A Song For You's debut album Home is released by Rhythm Section 21 June. The group will host an album listening session at London Jumbi, 2pm, 9 June.

Read Caroline Whiteley's Global Ear report on A Song For You in The Wire 484. Wire subscribers can also read the feature online via The Wire's digital library of back issues.