Simi Stone
Album: Simi Stone
Label: Reveal
Tracks: 13
Website: http://www.simistonemusic.com

Of all the labels releasing modern roots and folk music, Reveal Records are arguably the most interesting. Woodstock NY native Simi Stone is the latest addition to Reveal stable and provides an uncharacteristic but very welcome soulful arm to the labels roster.

On first listen this is a straight up and down soul-pop record but with repeat spins it opens out and reveals itself to be far more complex and thought provoking than that. The vibe of the record is fresh as well as summery and has one foot firmly planted in the early 70's both in terms of attitude and sound. Simi's vocal is as much Nina Simone as it is Carole King but with all the playful, breeziness of Corrine Bailey Rae as she hollers "looking for answers written on the street" on the piano led soul-funk of 'Pyramids'. The 50's sounding clap-fest that is 'Benny' is another shining example of the classic influences that run throughout the record.

A backing band that can count stints with Bowie, Springsteen, The B52's and Gang Of Four on its CV provide a classy platform for Stone's voice but reign it in expertly to avoid any accusation of over-production that might see the more refined listener switching off. It's this loose and airy vibe that makes Simi Stone so appealing in all honesty and it's plain to see what an influence being brought up somewhere as sacred to hippy values as Woodstock has had on her outlook to writing music. Some self-descriptions can cause many an eyebrow to be raised but when Stone describes herself as "Mountain Motown with a sprinkle of pop" she's pretty much bang on the money.

The more you listen to 'Simi Stone' the more it becomes apparent that it's jam packed full of songs with genuine hit-record potential, none more so than the blue-collar salute of 'All Of The People' which swings effortlessly with the vibrancy of small town America.

Summer's just round the corner and this album could be the perfect soundtrack, but whatever the weather we'll be hearing a lot more from this lady I'm sure.

Rob Fearnley