JUDI JACKSON - ALBUM REVIEW

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Judi Jackson - Grace 

Release Date: Out Now

This. This is a truly outstanding album. I feel like that could be the whole review because I'm not sure words will do this justice but I need to have a go because otherwise this blog will just become pointless. Judi Jackson hails from Virginia and 'Grace' is her debut album which makes this all the more impressive but even if this was the tenth album of an established it would be absolutey astounding. The album opens with 'Strawberry Lady' and the listener is immediately transported to a hot New York afternoon with woozy jazz melodies wafting out of the window and Jackson's dusky voice tempting you up from the stoop. 'Crashing Down' is a show tune with a soulful heart that is part Amy Winehouse and part Liza Minelli with swooning strings to die for. There is a shift in tone on 'Space Gyal' as Blue Lab Beats comes along for the ride and we're treated to a chilled out hip-hop vibe as Jackson demonstrates her impressive flow over a super laid back beat and bubbling bass line. 

There's a gorgeous 70s vibe to 'Magic' as the brass section and funky guitar'n'bass combo get things going with the kind of groove that you want to go on for days. 'Little Sunflower' is something of an interlude, like you've walked in on a private party at a swanky hotel, which soon gives way to the soulful ballad of 'Sunrise' which sees Arthur Verocai bring his beautiful Brazilian influence to the composition. Recent single 'River' is a heartbroken and swooning number that luxuriates in the rich string arrangement in the way you revel in your grief at the end of a long relationship. By contrast, 'Strangest Engagement' bubbles and zips with an early 80s energy that Tina Turner would have been proud of before 'Spring' brings the horns back for a sultry late night jam that should only be played when the lights are turned way down low. 

The piano melody that introduces 'Blue Baby' is full of pathos and heart which is met by Bond-esque guitars and Jackson's voice doing its best Shirley Bassey to create a dramatic landscape unmatched in recent years. My favourite track on the album is 'Soliloquy' which bounces around the piano with dramatic energy and shows off a side to Jackson that is somewhere between Muse and Zero7 with a disco vibe running through it. 'Two Of Us' is another summertime jam with a fresh beat, loose guitars and a rolling bass line which all combine to make you want to spend the day in bed with your significant other and your phones turned off. 

The final trio of songs opens with 'In The Night' which brings out a blues and gospel side of Judi Jackson that has not been heard at this stage but is just another superb facet to this talented lady. The late night at a club after closing time vibe of 'Over The Moon' is simply stunning as the piano melody works perfectly with a vocal melody that just makes you want to melt in to the first person you can lay your hands on. The closing and title track, 'Grace', is nearly six minutes of sheer, unadulterated soulful beauty that will reduce even the hardest of hearts to tears as it builds to a climax so full of emotion and raw power that it should be classed as a force of nature. Judi Jackson is a unique and special talent that should be cherished and nurtured so please, I beg of you, listen to this album and let yourself fall in love like I did. You can thank me later. 

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