The name Izzi Dunn might not be overly familiar but this sassy soul-singer has already contributed a debut album (The Big Picture), as well as collaborations with Gorillaz, Brand New Heavies, Roots Manuva and Mark Ronson. The girls got chops. Shes also got a bloody fine album here as well, a varied but not directionless nu-soul album that actually gels perfectly like chocolate and orange, peaches and cream, Widdecombe and dancing (OK, Im seriously kidding about the last one).
Previous single Tits and Ass is probably the least representative track on here, yet it opens the album with a strut, a purpose and a pout that shoves a middle-finger up at the expectations we have of women, plus the way that some women use those expectations to their advantage. Funny thing is, I can imagine many people wiggling both those sets of body-parts when they hear this its a right lil rump-shaker, plus it has a speaker-trembling bass-line and a crack-on string arrangement. Win, quite frankly.
The strings are prevalent throughout the less frenetic numbers on the entire album recent single Nothing But Love, Loser and All Good Things are given the Izzi Dunn cello workout and hot-damn if the woman hasnt written or at least co-written every track on here as well (other credits include The Pharcyde, Steve Miller (THE Steve Miller?) and Tom Middleton). Talent, brains and beauty goes the old clich and its justified in this case because apart from one song, Analogue Girl, there isnt a weak track on here.
No heavy emphasis on thuggery, no real braggery and just the right amount of swagger, Cries and Smiles is a revisit to quality British soul that existed on Talkin Loud, Massive Attack, Mica Paris, Attica Blues, Soul II Soul and Zero 7 throughout the 90s, before we ditched singing for yelping and poncing about with guns and gold. Even Gangstar Bitch is a contradiction its a smooth string-laden instrumental that even Isaac Hayes may be hearing and smiling at right now, with a knowing nod from on high.
The closing track Oblivious, remarks on her own anger at our involvement in the recent wars, yet she recognizes that her own nonchalance was just as bad as the UK siding with the US. A lot of us were guilty of that, methinks I just go about my business, oblivious....yep true, true. Great closer.
Overall, I imagine Izzi will be all over the media pretty soon for the right reasons, promoting a consistently excellent set of songs and appearing on Jools (thats a hint Mr Holland).
Its time to get well and truly Dunn.