Ben Watt - Hendra

Tracey Thorn was by far the better-known half of Everything But The Girl. For one, Thorn’s heavenly voice featured on the Massive Attack hit ‘Protection’, as well as several other notable collaborations. Her partner Ben Watt, however, has been a prolific producer in his own right. Hendra, is his second full-length album; his debut was released in 1983! It is a model of gentleness and tender arrangements. The title track is a smoky piece of late night melancholia that showcases Watt’s moody and soulful voice. It’s also a slow burner: what sounds somewhat unremarkable on initial listening grows into a moving slice of contemporary folk.

Watt raises the tempo for fragile rocker ‘Forget’. But for the most part Hendra sticks to a spaced-out script. It will appeal to anyone who took a shine EBTG’s soulful sophisti-pop. Who knows? It might even help Watt garner some of the recognition that always seem to go Tracey Thorn’s way.