Caro Emerald: The Shocking Miss Emerald

Her debut album of a few years back, Deleted Scenes From the Cutting Room Floor catapulted the Dutch vocalist and her crack production team into the limelight and she’s since become a huge live draw particularly in the UK. It’s easy to see why; her Shirley Bassey-meets-Amy Winehouse blend of retro big band jazz and modern dance grooves seems to have struck a chord with audiences and radio alike. Like its’ predecessor, everything about this Abbey Road recorded follow-up screams 1930s Hollywood Musical - from the cover artwork to the sweeping, cinematic orchestral opening of ‘One Day’ to the Latin-tined single, ‘Liquid Lunch’ and the Cuban sounding ‘Tangled Up’. The gentler Bossa Nova rhythms on ‘Paris’ showcase another side to Emerald who, it has to be said, has an appealing voice and an impressive vocal range as well as an ear for a strong melody. It’s all eminently enjoyable and good fun - even if you’ve heard it all before.

Key Track: 'Liquid Lunch'