Alice Russell - Pot Of Gold

Whilst the rest of the world has been wetting itself and worrying about the condition of a certain Amy Winehouse another UK soultress, Alice Russell from Framlingham in Suffolk, has been quietly going about her business and delivered a fine piece of work in the shape of her 4th LP ‘Pot of Gold’, released by Six Degrees records last year. In fact her voice is so good it beggars belief that the likes of the afore mentioned Miss Winehouse and others, like Duffy and Adele have been picked up and made it big while she still dwells in relative obscurity. Her voice is strong and powerful with a good range and reminds me a bit of Marva Whitney especially on the Funky JB style ‘Hesitate’ and mellow laidback ‘Hurry on Now’.
The songs are a blend of all things good, in the shape of Soul, Funk and Jazz, with a hint at times of gospel. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the commercial sound of others, but don’t let that detract from what still is a great LP that deserves better airplay.
Miss Russell also writes a lot of her own material, with two of the best opening the set 'Turn And Run' and 'Two Steps', which both have that quick tempo, driving Northern feel, with plenty of strings and brass. As you know if you’ve ever read any of my other soul reviews I’m more a fan of the faster paced soul tunes, but this girl can do ballads with style. The highlight of these must be the restrained and stripped down cover of Gnarls Barkleys ‘Crazy’, which you feel, is always about to come to the boil and overflow before it simmers back down into its dark and brooding sound.
‘Pot of Gold’ is a real hidden and proof that if Miss Winehouse should self combust the UK has more to offer than Duffy and Adele byway of good strong soulful singers, if you are prepared to look.

Tracklisting:
1 Turn And Run
2 Two Steps
3 Living The Life Of A Dreamer
4 Let Us Be Loving
5 Got The Hunger?
6 Lights Went Out
7 Crazy
8 Hesitate
9 Universe
10 Hurry On Now
11 All Alone

Links:
www.alicerussell.com/www.myspace.com/alicerusselluk
sixdegreesrecords.com/artists.php?artist=Alice_Russell
www.bahsamba.co.uk/
www.myspace.com/bahsambamusic

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