Martyna Wren
Album: The World Can Wait
Label: Wrenegade
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.martynawren.com/

Martyna Wren has been compared to both Dusty Springfield and Julie London, with the latter reference being by far the more obvious. "The World Can Wait" is actually her debut album, but if the press release had described this as being the lost album of a talented, but obscure 1960s nightclub singer, I would have considered that entirely plausible.

The album was recorded old fashioned style to analogue tape, which also goes someway to explaining the rich, deep jazz references that infuse the album as much as Wren's expressive and soulful voice, she also happens to be quite the pianist, though on this album John Bowman is the man tinklining the ivories.

The simple matter is that "The World Can Wait" could have been recorded anytime in the last fifty odd years, the delight is that because it was recorded recently, we get to catch an artist not only at the start of their, hopefully, long career, but also stand a fighting chance of seeing them perform live, something we are unable to do with a lot of the artists Wren has been placed alongside.

The sultry title track actually sits three songs in, but if you've not already been swayed by the time you reach that point, you are a hard person to please. Wren's relaxed, piano bar intricies combined with a subtle element of swing, is a real mood setter and that mood is chilled.

"The World Can Wait" is an intimate album that you want to take time out with and relax. As the album title suggests, put everything on hold and for the forty minutes the album lasts, just take some time out and enjoys.

Martyna Wren, may have a sound that draws heavily on the past, but she's daisy fresh and well worth investing your time in. Definitely worth checking out.

Neil King