Following on from his stellar solo debut The Boxer singer/ producer/ dj/ former Bloc Party front man Kele (aka Kele Okereke) released his stunning second solo effort Trick in October.

Darker, more sensual than his debut The Boxer, Trick is was formed and honed by periods of weekly DJ sets, and stints producing his own electronic music, with a newfound emphasis on Okereke’s soulful vocals, which grew and changed during the course of recording the album in London and New York.

To celebrate its release, Kele is about to visit Australia and New Zealand for a string of live dates, ahead of his visit he curated a killer mixtape featuring some of the acts that have influenced his journey. Check it out below and be sure to catch him as he rolls into town, tickets and info at www.novel.com.au.

Bjork – ‘Big Time Sensuality’ (Fluke remix)
This is the first Bjork track I ever heard and I remember immediately becoming hypnotised by the euphoria in her voice.

Cody ChestnuTT – ‘Can’t Get No Betta’
Such a smooth vocal, such an understated gem.

Missy Elliot – ‘Work It’
“I remember this track being huge in the clubs when it came out. The production is so funny- you can literally feel Missy’s sense of humour throughout.”

Elastica – ‘Stutter’
“The first song I ever learnt on the guitar. A G Em D. Pretty useful chords.”

Roberta Flack – ‘The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face’
“My tour manager turned me on to miss flack, and I’ve been hooked ever since.”

Billy Mahonie – ‘Hoon’
“I was into post rock as a teen but I always felt it was so stuffy. This was the first post rock band i heard that could really groove.”

Pixies – ‘Tame’
“I still think the greatest rock band of all time. The masters of quiet/loud.”

Jackie Wilson – ‘Higher And Higher’
my favourite singer of all time. his voice just exudes joy.

Broken Social Scene – ‘KC Accidental’
We were all obsessed with this band when we made (Bloc Party album) Silent Alarm. The best Canadian multi instrumentalist collective. ”

Menomena – ‘Wet And Rusting’
“I’ve loved this band for so long. their albums always sound like beautiful collages.”

Tour Dates

Friday 13th March – The TBC Club, Brisbane
Saturday 14th March – The Helm, Sunshine Coast
Wednesday 18th March – The Corner, Melbourne
Thursday 19th March – Karova, Ballarat
Friday 20th March – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Saturday 21st March – The Kings Arm, Auckland
Sunday 22nd March – Sets On The Beach, Perth
Tickets and info at www.novel.com.au