Alice Russell - Pot of Gold

Alice Russell’s fourth album looked like it might not happen – the collapse of a distribution company a year ago left it, perhaps metaphorically, gathering dust. But that year’s delay hasn’t dated the record – it could almost have been on the shelf for three decades, such is the timelessness of her big-lunged soul and big-band funk. Horns blare optimistically, drums stomp relentlessly, guitars wah suggestively and the bass bumps everything along jauntily, while Russell’s hugely commanding voice keeps everything in line. If old-school Northern or US Soul is your bag, you’ll lap up tracks like the Stax-like Two Steps, and fans of the nu-soul of Quantic or TM Juke (who produced) will also find a lot to enjoy here, especially the virtuoso musicianship of Universe. A bit more of a contemporary edge would have livened things up no end though; it would be great to hear what Russell could do with an edgier production. [Euan Ferguson]