Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Esther’s stunning independent EP alerted us to the fact that this most gifted of singers was about to step out from the anonymity of the session singer and make a pitch for artist recognition. Now this album debut confirms all that huge potential as the Midlands-based singer delivers a hugely attractive set of songs which exude a brittle, poignant wistfulness yet has, thanks to Mark Edwards, enough groove to make half a dozen sound like radio hits. From the acoustic delicacy of Phil Baggaley’s “Snowbound” (the only song Esther didn’t have a hand in writing here) to the achingly catchy opener “You Came In” with its simple evocation of the living God invading someone’s life, this is marvellous. Some of the tracks are set more in an R&B groove (particularly the turntable hit “Love Is A Decision”), others shine with the pristine vibe of pure pop, but throughout, thanks to producers Baggaley and Edwards, the emphasis is always on the spine-tingling quality of Esther’s voice.

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