Reviewed by Tom Rodgers

IN THE MAINSTREAM
Fried is the result of a collusion between the bassist and chief songwriter of the Fine Young Cannibals David Steele and young mother and former Wood Green Gospel Choir singer Jonte Short. Apparently it took Steele 10 years to find his singer for this project, but one might be disappointed with the results. Here are 10 slices of soul vocals infused with some deep and smoky hip-hop beats. Short's languid vocals work well, drifting over the lines, and are particularly effective on some of the wittier lyrics, for example on "Whatever I Choose I Lose" ("You hang around/Like an unpaid bill"). However, despite their easy charm, Short's vocals are Fried's undoing - she's simply too undemanding to hold the attention. Also, the repetitive and intrusive background vocals, also provided by Short, soon irritate (rather than adding to the depth of the songs). Macy Gray reportedly offered her services for "Whatever I Choose, I Lose": Perhaps Steele may have benefited from her distinctive, 40-a-day growl. Flashes of inspiration on this album, like the RZA's staccato retort to Short's plaintive note on "When You Get Out Of Jail", remain frustratingly infrequent. The best gospel singers, it is said, can make any song sound like a prayer. However, with these egocentric lyrics, for which the pair take co-writing credits, shift the attention away from exalting God and onto Short herself. Perhaps this is her failing. This pop partnership has left Short effectively exiled from her gospel church choir and community. One might question, with this effort, was it worth it? A flawed and sometimes predictable record.

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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