Sophie Bancroft & Tom Lyne
Album: You Turned The Tables On Me
Label: Lisaleo
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.sophiebancroft.co.uk/

Scottish-based Sophie is a new name to me - and a welcome one. She has been playing and recording for over 20 years, but has combined this with raising a family, teaching and work in jazz administration, so perhaps her rather low-key career outside of Scotland is understandable. Having worked in a wide range of musical styles - indie, folk, jazz - her new album has a strong jazz feel.

A mixture of standards (Ellington, Jobim, Rodgers and Hammerstein) and self-penned songs, this is a warmly evocative and relaxed set which will please a wide audience. Sophie sings and plays acoustic guitar in a duo with long-time partner Tom Lyne (bass). As a vocal teacher Sophie inevitably displays great phrasing and tone. Her style is reminiscent of Norah Jones or Madeleine Peyroux; though her voice is warm and breathy, it is not particularly distinctive - which perhaps dulls the edge of an otherwise strong performance.

The arrangements, however have a gently-swinging jazz feel (on the standards), and a broader folk/blues appeal on the three Bancroft compositions. There isn't really a duff track - and the subtle guitar and bass backing really enhance the vocals. Standout tracks: Sonny Rollins' Doxy, Bancroft's own Just Like the Leaves (especially Tom's quoting of Autumn Leaves in the intro) and I'll Love Him Still, and the title-track. Great late-night listening.

Martin Price