Kingsley Ibeneche was raised in Camden, NJ, and studied dance at University of the Arts in Philly. He has toured as a dancer with artists like James Blake and Travis Scott, which is stylistically reflected in Realms, his new EP, which was released on New York independent label Astro Nautico. Sultry, smooth vocals permeate through a tapestry of live instrumentation and sampling, enveloping the listener in a dreamlike state. The tracks are dynamic and rich, scintillating between unease and tranquility. The world that he builds is full of life and sound, but leaves plenty of room for Ibeneche’s vocals to thrive in the center. A release full of surprises and genuine twists, there’s a uniqueness to the music that betrays an instinctual familiarity. Realms packs so much quality into so little time, an achievement that really tags him as an emerging artist to keep an eye on. He’ll be hosting his record release show on February 28 at World Cafe Live, supported by Great Time and Madison McFerrin – Josh Kelly
