Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Helen, who once recorded an album for Word Records back in 1994 and who has subsequently battled against serious illness to make occasional independent releases, considers this six-song EP her best ever work. And I'd agree, even surpassing her "Hard Cruel Day" track from the 'It's Not Too Late' EP, which got some Cross Rhythms airplay back in 2009. Particularly strong on this release are "Twisted" which builds from a picked acoustic guitar and "Ladies Night" which is a skilful revival of the Judie Tzuke oldie and even has Ms Tzuke guesting on it. But best of all is the haunting "You've Come Home" with its lilting refrain "Let me put my arms around you/And tell you it's OK/Don't you worry, don't you worry/You've come home." Throughout Helen's moving singing with production/arrangements which are nicely organic, avoiding synth pop embellishments or electronic trickery, holds the listener. Making great pop music where voice, song and production merge into something which will sound good on the radio, good on your home stereo, and good wherever you hear it is an art. Helen has achieved this with 'The Last Minute'.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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