Latest CD releases reviewed
JENNY LINDFORS
Carry Us Away vwww.jennylindfors.com ****
This Dublin girl found inspiration from her musician father's record collection - must have contained lots of Joni Mitchell, Laura Nyro, Carole King and Grace Slick, judging from these shimmering, soulful folk-rock tunes. Lindfors may have borrowed her dad's elpees, but that superb, subtle voice is all her own.
JAVINE
Touch my Fire Universal **
With Eastern European countries dominating the Eurovision these days, Royaume Uni must be hoping this Eastern-sounding R&B tune will bag the Grand Prix. Donna & Joe better get a bouzouki player in fast.
BLACK EYED PEAS
Don't Phunk with my Heart A&M ****
What the phunk?! The Peas are back with a new album, Monkey Business, and it sounds like they've still got the hitmaking touch. This is a keray-zee cocktail of springy beats, gunshots, horsey whinnies and cheeky lines such as "I'll play Bobby and you play Whitney".
STEVIE WONDER
So What the Fuss Motown ***
What the fuss?! Stevie's back, and his first tune for ten years is a jammin' 1980s-style star session. He's got none other than Prince to play some funky jazz guitar and En Vogue to do some sultry vocals. All he needs now is MC Hammer to do a rap and we're in a total timewarp.
KAISER CHIEFS
Everyday I Love you Less and Less B-Unique ***
Few have acknowledged the lasting influence of The Boomtown Rats, but you can hear the spirit of Like Clockwork ticking through this zany tune. Get the keyboard player a pair of Johnny Fingers pyjamas - now.
DAVID HOPE
Slow Monolith Studios **
Never watched You're A Star, but I'm told this fella impressed Dave Fanning with his gritty folk music. This isn't a cover of the Kylie song, but a breezy acoustic tune featuring guest singer Louise McMahon. Hope is launching his debut album, Persons Unknown, but he needs a bit more experience, better songs (and a haircut) to get better known.
