JOANNA COOKE is a new(ish) UK soul singer. She hails from that soul hotbed – the Southwest (Joss Stone, Jo Harman anyone?) and she grew up enjoying her father’s blues records. A self-taught pianist, Joanna has already worked with people like Rag N Bone Man and Paloma Faith and has three EPs and a brace of singles already under her belt… all acclaimed by various tastemakers. Indeed, her last single, ‘No Stranger to the Blues’ won an editorial spotlight on Spotify!
Ms C is all set to consolidate her upward career trajectory with the soon-to-be released 6 track ‘Kaleidoscope’ EP, from which the first single has just won release – a lush, lovely ‘Good Lover’. Like the rest of the EP, ‘Good Lover’ has been produced by Mark Edwards whose CV includes collaborations with (amongst others) Carleen Anderson, so you know we’re talking soul quality here. Indeed, the cut’s a punchy, catchy Brit soul offering with Edwards bringing out the purity and commitment in Joanna’s vocals.
She says: ‘Written in the midst of the first lockdown, I fused two song embryos together which suddenly solidified the message I was trying to convey. Creating this tune alongside all of the others on the EP has been a healing process for me, for which I’m very grateful, not least being able to work with such incredibly talented, experienced and esteemed producers and musicians during these difficult times’
Joanna Cooke’s ‘Good Lover’ comes with a SJF recommendation. But don’t just take our word for it. Motown legend, Martha Reeves, was mightily impressed by a JC live show, remarking “she’s the baby girl singing the blues”.
