The unquenchable face-in-the-candlelight slow ballad of 'Eventually' is what hooked us most firstly here four songs in from crossover soul singer songwriter Acantha Lang. Boisterous in places 'He Said/She Said' is a room or two away from jazz. But with its bustling rhythm and a flying pace relentlessness getting down and dirty in places is infectious and relatable whatever you are into. Lang has been compared aply to Mavis Staples and has been touring with Roachford and won big as new artist of the year at London music venue owner Ranald MacDonald's Boisdale awards. I liked creole queen song 'Lois Lang' later. And the pace of 'River Keep Runnin' with its rampaging horns and the sweet honey in the rock quality of the London based New Orleanian's voice is so distinctive on 'It's Gonna Be Alright'. The hum-along poppiness of 'Whatever Happened To Our Love' has a hop to it that is terrifically caught, and sends us to thoughts of the feel of Betty Wright singing 'Clean Up Woman' a bit although the Lang approach is less raw. Such an individual sound and the audio engineering sonics are just what you want in a Stax-like creation. The horns on 'Come Back Home' at the beginning are a special moment taking you there but don't sound too try hard. What more can you ask for on a compelling debut?
Acantha Lang, photo: press
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