Down To One Kiss

Whisky Records Ltd

I am hearing this cut on a four-track sampler of an album called ‘Vulnerable To Touch’ and as lead song and single produced by Jeff Calvert it’s a little bit different to what’s around at the moment. Laid onto onto a fast BPM handclap and lightly sequenced drum tap, the multi-tracked vocal sounds rich and warm with a hint of Laura Nyro and an easy flow from mid register to higher. Given the sensual nature of the lyric, the production nod to early Moroder/Donna Summer feel has to be entirely deliberate. The song is saved from cold electronica syndrome by the drive of the singing and diffuse bass register. Presumably the voices are all or mainly Ms Rose, in which case we have a major find here.

Following number ‘Say You Believe’ has more expert vocal weaving, a dreamy romantic lyric and could be West End show ballad. The fact that restraint means that the singer is being held back from overkill by the production team or is deciding to slightly undersing rather than torch. The orchestration here is a tad overbusy, lads – this isn’t a Disney film theme!..or is it ?

‘Diamonds’ has more of the springy airy feel that suits these words. Apparently she’s part-Swedish and looks a little like a young Siena Miller. Yeah, what a handicap that will be, eh ? By closer ‘Don’t Mention This’ things are getting decidely jazzy, breathy vocal et al. She has a voice that would sound great against a fluteespecially on this cut, but the quasi-cinematic strings here work OK. Maybe Julie London is an influence ?

So..Holly Rose doesn’t sound like anyone in vogue, but she sounds as though she knows what she’s doing and is working with people who understand her. A good start

Pete Sargeant     www.fairhearing.co.uk