Melody Gardot
The Absence
(Decca)
Like many of those around the world who will never tire of her last album, I'd have been perfectly content if Melody Gardot's follow-up had been no more than My Only And Only Thrill Vol 2. Instead, the enigmatically entitled The Absence is a product of the global travels her previous collection produced. There is a Latin flavour to much of the set, but you'd be hard pressed to pin it down to one location, even with the broad fado hint of Lisboa, a highlight among these 11 very fine compositions, which contain at least five instant classics. Her production partner this time is Brazilian composer and guitarist Heitor Pereira, whose previous form – including work with Mick Hucknall and on a variable array of film soundtracks – should not put you off. Beats are in the capable hands of the likes of Peter Erskine, Jim Keltner and Paulinho DaCosta, and many tracks feature gorgeous string playing and some very fine clarinet. In a world filled with over-awarded female singers, no-one else is making music as classy as this.
Keith Bruce
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