Reviewed by Nigel Harris

'Souls Café' is the debut, self-produced CD from two Brits Rose and Darren Thomas-Carr (plus, I am guessing, quite a group of musical friends - there's not much detail on the CD liner). It's a curious mix of styles, opening with the catchy pop style of "Step Back", then into the hip-hop groove of "Life's Real" which merges into the jazzy "Life's Real Groove". Just when you think you know what to expect, "2006" is a rap in the style of - well, the best comparison I can manage is Ian Drury or Cockney Rebel! A sort of Eastenders hip-hop, which returns a little later on "Outside Lane". The album ends with the beautiful "What Is Man?" which builds from simple acoustic guitar and vocals to a richer mix with a delightful lead guitar break. Sorry to say I found the female vocals on "Sometimes In My Need" and "Sea @ Dawn" a little weak, maybe because our ears are accustomed these days to hearing voices heavily engineered with reverb and delay while the singer here has been recorded without any effects. The vocals would have sounded fuller and more confident with a little tweaking here, something to consider for the next album.

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