Monday, 10 November 2008

Review - Alice Russell - Pot Of Gold (Album Sampler)

Alice Russell - Pot Of Gold (Album Sampler)

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7 out of 10

Alice Russell certainly keeps herself busy. 'Pot Of Gold' is her 4th and probably most accomplished album but aside from her work with Brighton's Quantic Soul Orchestra, she has supplied demand for soulful vocals required by Massive Attack, The Roots and more recently on Mr. Scruff's 'Ninja Tuna' album.

She possesses a powerful, expressive voice that, rather than aping vintage soul divas of the past, has its own distinct resonance. The producer, TM Juke, captures everything with digital clarity but still achieves that dusty valve amp earthiness.

The quality of the songs on here is consistently high. Some are stomping funk-a-thons, others infused with lighter, jazzy afro-beat touches and there's a fine, spookily iridescent cover of Gnarls Barkley's 'Crazy'.

Her assembled band back her up ably, belting out tunes rich in scratchy funk guitar, coloured with twinkling electric piano flourishes and honking horns.

By charming audiences across the Atlantic with her live performances, her voice coming across as strongly as her infectious personality, she has already shown the qualities that should elevate her above the sham-soul of Duffy, Adele and their like.

Listen: www.myspace.com/alicerusselluk

Tracklist:
1. Turn & Run
2. Living The Life Of A Dreamer
3. Two Steps
4. Crazy
5. Universe

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