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Elly Roberts reviews
Polydor Records
- Released: September 2008
- Rating: 10/10
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Twenty one year old British soul sensations debut Wow!
Hot n passionate from new kid on the block guarantees a big future, as longas he doesnt do a Terence Trent DArby and follow-up with a bum album likeDArbys appalling Neither Fish Nor Flesh which killed his career.
With one smash hit under his belt, the stirring The Quest, the amazingBryn Christopher unleashes his take on contemporary soul over 12 fabuloustracks. New single Smilin has dropped out of the Top 40 w/c 14 Sept,and but stays at 37 on download (10 Sept), nicely set to go higher, with thisalbum is straight in at 18.
This remarkable young man has studied well, taking his musical touchstonesfrom legends Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, C-Lo (Gnarls Barkley) and UK soul brotherMaxwell, so hes in fine company.
Embellishing the genres finest moment and singers, young Brummie Brynsexposure to British audiences came via support for diva Amy Winehouses 2007tour, being quickly snapped up by US agent William Morris Agency who clearly havegrand designs for him.
Its a clever move. He already has some US exposure due to The Questsinclusion in the closing scene of season 4 of Greys Anatomy. This yearhes done Wireless Festival (Hyde Park) , Glastonbury, T In The Park, Oxegenand V Festival, impressive by any standards.
Teaming up with studio maestro and co-writer Jarrad Rogers and production teamMidi Mafia, My World is full of rasping and exhilarating excursionseither like the throbbing dancer Help Me or contemplative Smilin, wherehe give some super vocal performances.
Stay With Me is pure retro stuff, much like Amy Winehouse has pursued,catchy hooks and chorus, whereas My World has undeniable shades of Otis Redding’spulsating original R&B qualities. If theres one song that epitomises Christopher’sdeep soul credentials and sensibilities then its the awesome Found A New Love.
Things seriously get funked-up on Seconds Ago with the band getting astight as they get here. Saving the best for last, he delivers a stunningballad, on two part Taken Me Over to close an often breathtaking debut.
File under: Massive talent.
Weblinks:brynchristopher.com /myspace.com/brynchristopher
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Help Me
2. Smilin
3. Sour Times
4. Stay With Me
5. The Quest
6. My World
7. Found A New Love
8. Seconds Ago
9. The Way You Are
10. GoneGoneGone
11. My Kinda Woman
12. Taken Me Over (bonus track)
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.