Rayowa's 10 Essential Tracks: Disco, Funk, and Soul Journey

Hey Disco lovers, Kono here! Today, I’ve got something special for you, an exclusive dive into the musical journey of the rising star Rayowa, also known as Reece Baker. A self-taught multi-instrumentalist, Rayowa seamlessly blends Disco, Funk, Soul, and R&B to create a sound that feels both timeless and modern. With his latest single “In The Sunshine” set to release on The Disco Express, Rayowa is here to share with us the ten tracks that shaped his unique musical style. From childhood memories to game-changing influences, get ready for a trip through sound and time!

Lebo M – He Lives In You

1998/1999 – I loved The Lion King when I was a kid. This was the first song I loved! – I remember hearing this record and feeling overwhelmed with emotion from how powerful and uplifting the song was. It still resonates with me today! The traditional African rhythms, choir and vocal style, powerful female backing vocals along with the spiritual, emotional uplifting feeling of the song has influenced the music I make today.

The Winner Takes It All – ABBA

2002 – This song was the soundtrack to my weekends with my brothers at my Nan and Grandad’s house. We would all dance around the kitchen singing ABBA together. They are some of my most cherished memories.

Get Down Saturday Night – Oliver Cheatham

2004 – Like most kids at this time, after school was spent playing football and cruising around in the sun in a flash red sports car on GTA Vice City! – It’s hard to pick from such an amazing collection of bangers from that game but this one really is timeless and still resonates with me now. This game gave me my first taste of funk soul and disco, which developed into an obsession. I owe a lot to this game for steering me in the direction of such incredible music.

Summer Madness – Kool & The Gang

2004 Another stand out record from Vice City, this one never gets old, it’s a go to track for me when the sun is shining. Kool & The Gang have become one of my favourite groups of all time.

All Night Long – Mary Jane Girls

2006 This is a special one, sitting in my shared room with my eldest brother Dan. I remember watching Nick Loves The Business. Danny Dyers character ‘Frankie’ was bowling it into Charlies Bar and this record was playing. The 80’s aesthetic, beautiful Spanish coast and sick clothing really inspired me and has 100% contributed to my love of that era along with the music, this too has an incredible soundtrack! An absolute classic film!

Everything She Wants – Wham!

2010 – When I was about 17 in college the 80’s influence had really set in. I religiously listened to George Michael & Wham. Me and my best mate at the time Lewis would drive around in his little Peugeot 106 with this blaring out , thinking we were proper cool with our 80’s looking barnets.

Mutual Attraction – Change

2014 – This is a special track to me, I heard it on the radio and remember thinking, who is this?, what is that sound?… I have to hear more. It led me on to discover Change who are one of my all-time favourite bands of that era. I went to see them at the Jazz Cafe last December and it was one of my favourite gigs of all time. Formed by Jacques Fred Petrus & Mauro Malavasi, I later discovered they were influenced like most people, by Chic. Who I laterally found because of this discovery.

Rene & Angela – Keep Runnin’

2019 – Rene & Angela have become a firm favourite of mine, their production is absolutely beautiful. I love this record so much, the strings on the intro of this track fill me with so much energy and joy! Then the vocal hook comes in and I’m dancing!

Quincy Jones – Summer In The City

2020 – This is an astonishing track, so smooth and soulful. It played a big part in influencing the sound of my latest single. The female vocals and soundscape especially. I actually referenced this record in the lyrics on the bridge of my most recent record, In The Sunshine.

In The Sunshine – Rayowa

2024 – My latest single, which has drawn influence from a magnitude of artists such as Quincy Jones, Kool & The Gang, The SOS Band, Loose Ends and many more. I’m super proud of this record and the reception it’s been receiving has been really humbling!

Conclusion.

What an amazing journey through Rayowa’s top musical influences! A big thank you to Reece for sharing such personal and inspiring stories. If you loved hearing about these tracks, be sure to check out Rayowa’s stunning new single, “In The Sunshine,” available now on all major platforms via The Disco Express. You won’t want to miss this perfect summer anthem, trust me, it’s one for the books!

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Author

Kono Vidovic

DJ | MUSIC CURATOR & SELECTOR | PODCAST MAKER | BLOGGER Professional online interpreneur. Coffee practitioner. Electronic music culture maven. Total music guru. Infuriatingly humble problem solver. Food & sports fanatic.

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