Nick Tann
Album: 3AM
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 7
Website: http://www.nicktann.co.uk

Nick Tann's press release for "3 AM" makes reference to Elvis Costello, Led Zeppelin, John Martyn, Jeff Buckley and Sting, but then again, he did write it himself and you can tell from the tone that there is definitely a tongue pointing towards a cheek.

Even so high praise comparisons do put ideas in your head, set a level of expectation that the artist then has to live up to, it may be a subconscious thing, but Hampshire based Nick Tann gives himself a high level of attainment to aim for.

Whilst "3 AM" is not Tann's debut release, it is the first album he has made since he made the decision to become a full time musician and more importantly the first he's made in a studio as opposed to his previous releases that were recorded at home.

I've been fortunate enough to have heard Nick's previous releases so I already had respect for his songwriting ability and I have to say, "3 AM" does have the feel of an album that has the potential to be step change for the artist. At seven tracks there will be some that say it's a bit on the light side, but if I can reverse a saying here, never mind the width, feel the quality.

"3 AM" is an album of quality songs, Tann has a strong and characterful voice, the jazz and blusey touches in the sound only give emphasis to that. If this is an album that's there to confirm that he was right to take the risk to become a full time musician, it definitely achieves that and that makes this an album worth checking out, regardless of comparison, comparisons that Tann didn't draw at random.

Neil King