(12-track album/ 2002)
You honestly begin to wonder what the music industry has come to sometimes. Take the case of 24-year old, Oxford-based beauty Charlotte James and her music. Here is an album of 12 staggering songs and all an A&R guy (or gal?) needs to do is sign her, duplicate 'CONFORMITY' en masse and then sit back and relax. These songs sell themselves and the hard work has already been done, trust me. I cannot believe she is still looking for management - but beware� if you are reading this now as an A&R type and are now thinking, Jeez I best get onto Charlotte's case, you better be quick because huge interest in her and her music is being aroused.
No wonder, for she is a rare breed of lyrical songwriter, starting subtly with 'Starting Small,' the lo-fi backing beat reminding of Judie Tzuke's most recent and contemporary works of emotive art.
If only Charlotte had entered 'Fame Academy'� eventual winner David Sneddon would have been hard-pressed to beat her, trust me� for in tracks 'Quiet Eyes,' 'Happiest Day' and my fave 'Afraid' there is so much pop sensibility that even Pete Waterman would wet his pants with excitement. Not to suggest she's a 'pop artiste.' She's not� she is a lover of melancholy and self-pity, yet manages to buffer such emotions into hugely catchy and upbeat songs.
Water's Eastern-ised back beat supports her in full on Tori Amos-mode, mood-swinging and singing so humanely that her voice envelopes everything and is hugely atmospheric. Akin to another fantastic underground artiste called Lou Dalgleish, the potential to knock you off your feet if she sung acappella resounds like thunder in the summer.
Tori Amos has every right to be worried when Charlotte sounds to be stealing her thunder. Listen to this album's closing 'Carousel,' and the mesmerisingly emotive piano swirl coupled with the sublime vocals and tell me she's not just as supremely talented as Amos herself. And unlike Amos, there is still room for Miss James to anthemically rock with the aforementioned 'Afraid' (bolstered by electric guitar riffage) on which she puts Sharleen - singer of Texas - Spiteri's voicings into immaculate focus.
I'm the same as the next man in the need to go talent spotting. But why waste your time searching when the talent has most definitely been discovered, along with an album that's already ready-to-go for global release. (STEVE RUDD)
Contact her manager Marcus Siddons on 07766 236565
or Email� [email protected]
Contact Charlotte herself on 01865 716064