Cardiff-based
chanteuse joins forces with Medway band Groovy Uncle for her debut
long-player.
I'm a bit of a
Johnny-Come-Lately to this excellent debut album from Suzi Chunk. It
was released last autumn on State Records. Around that time I heard
Mark Radcliffe play one of its tracks, “No Stone Unturned”, on
his BBC 6Music show which piqued my interest. With Suzi's soulful
voice over that slinky, slightly psychedelic groove, it left its
mark. It wasn't until later in the year that a review copy dropped
through my letterbox but better late than never is what I say. Since
its release the album has gone on to top Shindig! magazine
writer's poll as album of the year and justifiably so.
I've always had a soft
spot for Dusty Springfield's purple patch of '60s releases, that
peculiar and unlikely mix of confidence and vulnerability in her
voice. Girl From The Neck Down has that in spades, best
evidenced on the wistful “Eyes On The Prize”. Here's an album of
new songs which sound old, yet with a spirited freshness. The
playing, singing and song writing are simply of a standard that goes
beyond pastiche, helped in no small part to the fact the whole record
comes over as heartfelt.
Click over the jump for more on Girl From The Neck Down.
