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Music

Both Miguel and Kelela Treated the UK to One-Off Sets This Week

They each stopped by BBC Radio 1 to perform special covers—she of Sade and he of Jorja Smith.
Lauren O'Neill
London, GB

It's been a stellar week for cover versions, you'll be pleased to know. First up, Miguel stopped by BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge to give a rendition of Jorja Smith's "On My Mind," continuing his streak of performing tracks by talented female musicians. His cover, which you can see above, is a cover in the actual proper sense – instead of just singing his own version over the original backing, he warps the track completely into his own style, slowing the tempo right down, and adding the electric guitar accents which best characterise his rocky R&B style. It is very good indeed.

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Secondly, we have Kelela, who also showed up on Radio 1, this time for Huw Stephens' Piano Sessions. She performed a more faithful rendition of Sade's "Like a Tattoo" (see it below), the guitar replaced by the piano, though it was still unmistakably Kelela's own, with her distinctive vocal given pride of place. Because just one major BBC appearance is never enough, Kelela also played "LMK" on Later… with Jools Holland on Wednesday night.

Basically what I'm trying to say is: here are two stellar examples of how to do good cover versions. This is the standard that our airwaves deserve.

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