Fridae

"For a hushed sweet moment
Everything made sense"
- Julia Fordham, Alleluia

Some albums are perfect for an evening of smooth seduction. Some albums are perfect for that lonely rainy afternoon. And some albums are perfect for soothing the frenzied nerves of circuit queens after a hard night's clubbing. Rare is that one album which manages to meet and surmount the challenges posed by all three scenarios.

And that is why upon hearing Julia Fordham's new album, Ms Scary was so delighted that she let loose a wine-glass shattering shriek that set off a chain of canine yelps throughout her usually sedated estate.

Released on Vanguard Records, Concrete Love is the British singer-songwriter's seventh and arguably best album to date. With producer and long-time Joni Mitchell collaborator Larry Klein at the helm, the album is a bewitching concoction of expressive phrasing, caramel rich vocals and emotionally resonant lyrics which proves to be more addictive than a honey-coated Justin Timberlake.

Featuring 11 tracks plus 3 bonus tracks, the album presents an impressive range of musical modes from the up-tempo swing improvisations of It's Another You Day to the soft balladry of Foolish Things to the uplifting soul of Missing Man.

While every song on this album is a gem in itself, there are still a number of outstanding tracks that grabbed Ms Scary by her tasty earlobes and simply demanded repeat listening. There is the duet Alleluia featuring Hammond B-3 Organ chords by the legendary Billy Preston and the drink-turpentine-until-vocals-turn-raspy voice of country-rocker Joe Henry.

Then there is the title track where the singer is joined by seven-time Grammy nominee and exotic songbird India.Arie. With the seamless interweaving of their sultry vocals, Concrete Love provides the perfect accompaniment as listeners are led on a journey through a stark landscape of urban love.

However, the standout track has to be her musical valentine to the late Minnie Riperton, the luscious Roadside Angel co-written by Klein and featuring Sweet Pea Atkinson on backing vocals. Ms Scary's personal favourite, Roadside Angel is pure melodic magic tampered by a tinge of earnest sadness over Riperton's all too brief life.

So despite her seemingly incongruous place amongst today's over-manufactured pop tarts, it is Ms Scary's sincere hope that Concrete Love would do for Ms Fordham what Surfacing did for the divine Sarah McLachlan.

Note of warning though: rabid fans of borderline psychotic lung-busters such as Mariah and Whitney as well as diabetes inducing Barbies such as Britney and Mandy would do well to stay away. This lady's slow-burn delivery of soft soulful croonings may just make you a convert to her brand of sweet sweet music.