Music Review

09 January 2009 20:40 BST

Alice Russell: Pot of Gold

Little Poppet, out now.

In a nutshell…

Funky, sassy, upbeat, and jazzy music.

What's it all about?

Pot of Gold comprises 11 tracks including her own version of Gnarls Barkley's Crazy. With a cornucopia of varied instruments, the album encompasses live strings, horns, and piano in conjunction with playful lyrics.

Who's it by?

Alice Russell is an English female soul singer from Framlingham in Suffolk. Not only is she one of the UK’'s hottest singers, but she also has a growing North American fan base. She is in great demand as a vocalist. Her first album, My Favorite Letters was met with critical and commercial acclaim. Pot of Gold is her fourth solo outing and represents her shift in artistic control as it is the first release on her own Little Poppet label.

As an example…

‘Lonely in this jungle deep / a smile won’t catch my eye / so goodbye!’—Let Us Be Loving

Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys

Russell's album has potential Grammy status because it is edgy, refreshing, and each track pleasantly surprises its listener. It is impossible to not bob your head while listening to Russell's tracks so I would be surprise if the album did not become a bestseller and top the charts.

What the others say

"As much as I'm a huge fan of other British girl vocalists like Amy Winehouse and Duffy, I'll go out on a limb and say that Russell can sing circles around all of them." - Lisa, Above the Fold

"Not everyone may know the little blonde belter from Brighton but that doesn't mean she would come up short next to the likes of Lauryn Hill or Chaka Khan; Russell takes time in her art, breathing and shifting only after her audience has had time to enjoy one vibration before the next. Her voice, though fixed in a category of striking competition and soulful requisition, easily transposes from modern rock covers to the gloriously retro samba rhythms and gospel-flecked soul nuggets that fill this particular vessel." - Paige Taylor, Wears the Trousers Magazine

So is it any good?

The selling point of the album is Russell's vocals. Russell has such an incredible, soulful, and unforgettable voice. I am really impressed by not only how unique her voice is, but also its natural hint of attitude. Although Russell has been compared to artists like Amy Winehouse, she is a clearly distinguishable and talented artist because she effectively adds that fun, but not overbearing diva quality to her music. In fact, I think Lauryn Hill would be a more worthy comparison for Russell.

9/10

Muriel Taing