Review: Ella Thompson - Dandelion (Mr Bongo)

More SOUL that's echoes Northern but it's from the deep south; yep Australia's Ella Thompson is at it again! 

After Ella's 'Ripple On The Wing' album (see review HERE) a while back and the surprise Mr Bongo 7" 'Promise to Keep / Change of Heart (see review HERE), here's another tease release from the Naarm/Melbourne-based vocalist, musician, and songwriter from the forthcoming album 'Triumph & Sadness' with a brand new single ‘Dandelion’. 

High in energy and attitude, it’s an irresistibly hooky psych funk nugget, doused in Ella’s silky, heartfelt vocals. Featuring a selection of artists from the city’s much-championed DIY independent scene, including members of Surprise Chef and Karate Boogaloo, there’s a beat-heavy, psychedelic feel to the track, infused with Ella’s sweet soul tones.

Co-written and co-produced by Liam McGorry from Temporary Blessings (College Of Knowledge), ‘Dandelion’ is a magnetic head nodder, driven by the slick drumming of Hudson Whitlock and Tom Pettit’s infectious bass grooves. Timpani fills and a punchy, instantly sampleable horn line add that cinematic Chef-styled touch to proceedings.

The song speaks of a search for truth in a relationship that has lost its way. Inspired by the contradiction between a dandelions bitter taste and beautiful flower, Ella asks do we fear what caring too much will do? “How much detachment is needed to ride the highs and lows without numbing the nerve? We want truth yet reach for illusion” she mentions.

Ella owns this track; there is power in the vocal delivery when needed, and restraint as required. It’s a song that is instantly memorable in its emotive anthemic power, further showcasing why Ella is rightly regarded as one of the leading lights in contemporary soul.

Cutting the track direct-to-tape is just one of the touches of class that firm local favourite Henry Jenkins brings to the recording and engineering of ‘Dandelion’. Henry also joins Ella and Liam as co-producer and Daptone / The Womack Sisters collaborator Wayne Gordon is drafted in to provide a brilliant mixdown. Together they authentically capture the live energy of some of the finest talent that Naarm/Melbourne has to offer, with Ella delivering a delectable and poignant taste of what’s to come on Triumph & Sadness.

Released in collaboration with College Of Knowledge, Australia.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://bfan.link/dandelion-13

Artist: Ella Thompson

Title: Dandelion 

Release Date : 7th July, 2026

Label : Mr Bongo Records

Catalog Number : MRB354BTI08

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Ella Thompson - Promise To Keep / Change Of Heart (Mr Bongo)

We normally have to wait for a Record Store Day to get a 45 as good as this Mr Bongo release as Ella Thompson has a promise to keep and avoid a change of heart that's got SOUL! 

You'll recall we met Ella with her 'Ripple On The Wing' album (see review HERE) that came out on Hopestreet Recordings, the Naarm/Melbourne based label. 

Being based in the area, she collaborates with members of Surprise Chef and Karate Boogaloo plus trumpeter/composer Liam McGorry (Temporary Blessings) joins her as co-writer/producer with Henry Jenkins (JNBO) recording the track (Ed. talk about a 'College Of Knowledge'!)

Fans of Timmion, Daptone Soul/R&B will love this as it's as much classic as contemporary, especially 'Change Of Heart' (like Amy Winehouse?  On the A-side, 'Promise To Keep' is more 60s pop-soul that could fit a Modern Northern room; or sould that be Southern?  Or Belgian Popcorn.

There's an album coming out but this is definitely more appeal that DJ 45 soul buyers - recommended.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://ellathompson.bandcamp.com/album/promise-to-keep-change-of-heart

Artist: Ella Thompson

Title: Promise to Keep / Change of Heart 

Release Date : 26th June, 2026

Label : Mr Bongo Records

Catalog Number : MRB7237

Format: 7" Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Ella Thompson - Ripple On The Wing (Hopestreet Recordings)

Fans of Surprise Chef, Karate Boogaloo, Ziggy Zeitgeist, Godtet, JK Group and no doubt many more, will know that there's lots of interesting sounds coming out of Australia from a hip-hop, jazzy, soul, funk, beats base.  And here's another as Ella Thompson's new album, 'Ripple On The Wing' comes out this today.

The Hopestreet Studios are definitely busy as this is Ella's second album on the Hopestreet label and whilst the cover looks like some lost 70s folk album, she's definitely not a lost offspring of Richard and Linda.

In fact this his more of a soul-pop 60s beats vibe a la to Amy Winehouse (Ed. Did I ever tell you the story of having a chat with Amy in Camden High Street outside the Cobden pub - now closed!) with US sixities soul entrenched nodding to The Shangri-Las and Daptone channelled into a while back Sharon Jones/Charles Bradley and Timmion Records are still doing to this day.

These are heady comparisons but the house band has all the Memphis soul you could wish for and she's a star ready to happen outside of the recent singles ‘Let There Be Nothing’ and 'Omen' (both outstanding) that BBC 6 Music have supported with DJ(and more) legend, Craig Charles.  Particularly, 'Don't Be A Taurus' that wraps everything together with a warm glow.

Totally different from another favourite from down under, Audrey Powne or even Ella in The Bamboos (can 'Medicine Man' really be 2012?) but we do live in blessed times and , I urge you all to take this out for a spin, it's another stunner! (or should that be ripper?)

P.S. just spotted, the backing band on the album is the Surprise Chefs, a Hiatus Kaiyote and co-produced with a Karate Boogaloo! get 'em on Celebrity Master Chef Australia - they need a new soundtrack and get Mel back.

PPS. A bit different to Hannah Macklin's 'Mu' (see review HERE) also from Hopestreet Recordings.

Artist: Ella Thompson

Title:  Ripple On The Wing

Release date: 15th November, 2024

Label : Hopestreet Recordings

Catalog Number :  HS047

Format:  Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp