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Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. Don't Say A Word |
| 2. Withering Bones |
| 3. I'll Never Be The Same |
| 4. My Love Has Gone |
| 5. Playing With Death |
| 6. Run |
| 7. Good Fortune |
| 8. We Will Carry |
| 9. Spring Flowers |
| 10. The Hard Way |
Product Description
Review
Formed in 2004, individually the quintet has worked with the likes of Massive Attack, Bugz in the Attic, Skin, Jazzanova, Roni Size, Andy Sheppard, Emily Breeze, The New Mastersounds and Will Young. A stylistically diverse array that should tell you something about just what this fine ensemble is capable of. Appearances at this year's South By Southwest Festival and a scene-stealing spot on the Glastonbury Jazz World Stage in early summer saw eloquently accomplished sets garner the kind of rapturous acclaim that surely also awaits their eponymous debut.
What astonishes most is the sheer elegance and lightly-worn maturity of it all. Actually, that's not true. What astonishes most is just how good it is. A seamless amalgam of classic, late-night jazz, southern soul, country blues and gospel, this is intelligent music-making with impeccably high standards.
Few bands can boast a vocalist of the quality of Yolanda Quartey. Think Janis Ian crossed with Sister Rosetta Tharp. Equally, Etta James, Madeline Bell, Mahalia Jackson and Mavis Staples come to mind in a vain attempt to describe the unique blood pulse and heart-soaring beat of Quartey's burnished mahogany voice. It's put to blissfully intimate use on the emotionally torn Don't Say A Word, is anthemically defiant on Withering Bones, boldly corkscrews into the imagination in I'll Never Be The Same Again, and is fractured, fragile and vehement in equal measure on My Love Has Gone.
Few great voices get the backing they deserve, but Quartey can happily claim to be the exception to the rule. And if the knowing instrumental accompaniment provided here by Stew Jackson (guitar, pedal steel, banjo), Dan Brown (Bass, guitar), Matthew Jones (drums) and Dan Moore (piano, Hammond organ) is the result of a crack outfit firing majestically on all cylinders, the close-harmony vocals they also provide are no less compelling.
It seems inconceivable that there will be a more accomplished debut than this in 2008. A quality album, and band, to restore your faith in contemporary music. --Michael Quinn
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Album Description
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful Tingles from Phantom Limb,
By Tim C (Frome, UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Phantom Limb (Audio CD)
This is a gem! It is a rare pleasure to find a debut album of such quality, maturity and musicianship. Its only two weeks since I first heard `Don't Say a Word' on the radio and the initial impact of the voice of Ms Quarty is still fresh in my mind - more Ann Peebles or Candi Staton than Aretha to my ears - but of an emotional and dynamic range that bears comparison to these golden throats.The first thing I did was to look at their MySpace site where I not only found more great songs but also that they were playing a gig at my local pub the following Sunday. So I duly joined about 30 others (and a dog) for an absolute treat and came away quite stunned and excited and clutching this CD. I've played it (several times) daily and I'm blown away by what I hear - not only the voice that first drew me in but also the beautiful playing of the band and - most of all - the songs. All 10 of them have been written by the band (no individual credits but who is writing these words?) and as well as some that you will love from the first hearing - the very soulful `Withering Bones' or the more country flavoured `My Love Has Gone' - there are songs here that go beyond the bounds of these genres and whose delights are more slowly revealed. `Playing With Death' has a velvet darkness that deepens with familiarity and the rich textures of `Spring Flowers' are increasingly beguiling. Ultimately there are only two genres of music - good and bad - and if it moves your soul and your body it belongs in your good file. This album has quickly gone into the favourites section of that file for me, so many thanks to all those involved in its creation. And if you are yet to discover this music give yourself a treat and click that buy button now!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A complete treat but quite filling,
By
This review is from: Phantom Limb (Audio CD)
This superb outing by the Bristolian hybrid between country, soul, gospel and rock is well worth a listen. The featured vocals and dramatic style entrance you from the start with stunning musicianship and considered and well thought out arrangements. However I must confess to a slight amount of listener fatigue towards the end as the shear scale of the pieces had me longing for a frothy hook or quirky chorus.In general, superb pieces beautifully performed, sympathetically produced and fantastically recorded (well deserving to be on the Naim label) but best appreciated if you don't take it all in one sitting. JI
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
New group from Bristol,
By Singapore Slinger (Singapore) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Phantom Limb (Audio CD)
This is a great CD if you are into fusion music (if there is such a thing). I heard about the group on Singapore Airlines, while casting about on a 12 hour flight for something different to listen to & discovered a group that is serious about their music but love to have fun. Their music is soulful, country and slightly blues influenced. I hope they produce more-Yolanda's voice is brilliant! Let's hope this is the first of many!
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