Born in Jordan, raised in the working class suburbs of Perth, Australia, singer Randa Khamis caught the black music bug early. At the age of 12 she was talking her way into local clubs, desperate to dance to the sounds of James Brown, Parliament, Kurtis Blow, Ann Sexton and Aretha Franklin. Totally entranced by the music she heard, Randa decided then in her early teens that she could, would, and must become a soul singer.
Randa and the Soul Kingdom released the self titled debut album on Freestyle Records to great acclaim, and sell out shows in the UK and Europe soon followed. Now in 2011 Randa returns with her second album, produced by Aussie music legend Lance Ferguson (The Bamboos, Cookin On 3 Burners, Lanu) 'What You Need' (FSRCD/LP088) which whilst still tinged with a gritty funk feel also delves into the 1960's stomping soul arena, but this track, 'The Things' also taken from the forthcoming album, allows Randa to work out her disco diva muscles to quite stunning effect! Squelchy synths ride over an insistant disco beat, whilst Lance Fergusons scratchy guitar evokes the heady, hedonistic era of Chic, Studio 54 and Bianca Jagger riding a white horse across the dance floor!
Listen back to Soul Time with Vince Peach for a live set from Randa and the Soul Kingdom.
