
Earlier this month we enthused about some new music from a Jamaican-born, guitarist, singer and composer CIYO (BROWN). We’d heard tracks from him on plenty of top, trusted stations like Mi-Soul Radio, Solar Radio, and BBC Radio London. So, we enjoyed sweet and lovely covers of things like Bread’s ‘Make It With You’, the old war time standard ‘Again’ and Bill Withers’ song ‘Can We Pretend’.
Now Ciyo’s people tell us that the full album (named for that Bill Withers’ song) is now officially released and we can assure you it’s a laid-back, relaxing delight from start to finish. The LP boasts plenty of covers. Apart from the ones just listed, Ciyo treats us to versions of the standards ‘It’s Only A Paper Moon’, ‘Lush Life’ and ‘S’Wonderful’ and the Beatles’ ‘I Will’ – all perfectly suited to Mr Brown’s relaxed and soporific lounge jazz sound.
He calls that sound ‘Vocal Excursions with a Tinge of Guitar’, probably best illustrated here by his ‘Jazzy Mood For Love’ – a gentle swinger, guaranteed to bring a smile. For something a little “tougher” (but still soulfully sweet) try ‘Borderline’ – which by coincidence currently sits atop the UK Soul Breakers chart.