Stranger On Earth

Many a modern artist's has their jazz roots on prominent display but, aside from the odd flirtation (US3, Erykah Badu), it's surprising that few have proposed a serious and committed commercial coupling of these specific genres, since it's such an obviously fruitful match.

The old-time flavour is furnished by looped samples, the skipping 45s on a scratchy gramophone echoing as though from another room, but these are strongly overlaid with slick beats, pristine production values and songs sparkling with the modern rap vernacular. Fittingly, female empowerment is the order of the day, and songs like 'Playa No Mo', 'Step Up' and 'Batches' are all about Lina putting her man in his place, while advising all the ladies to do likewise.

Her phrasing might recall the jazz greats at odd intervals, but she's no Lady Day wannabe and never strives for that kind of emotional gravitas. Her excitable vibrato is entirely her own and she clearly delights in the coquettish vocal twists and tricks.

Stranger On Earth is playful, glib and stylish, rather than heartfelt and passionate, but definitely worth getting familiar with.