Suki Tawdry
Night of Joy
Soul Shard
LA duo Suki Tawdry consists of multi-instrumentalist Jeff Kettle and vocalist Barbara Duffy. This, their debut album, offers 11 tracks of ambitious and dreamy trip-hop with a theatrical, jazzy edge. A late-night blue runs through the album, wonderfully underscored by Kettle’s careful and minimalist arrangements that emphasize pulsating rhythms over elaborated detail. But it’s Duffy’s sultry voice that dominates the music; her storytelling is pushed to the front of the mix, and her haunting melodies accentuate the essence of Kettle’s musical compositions.
Suki Tawdry is obviously drawing from the wells of Massive Attack and Portishead, but their lack of sonic uniqueness is more than made up for with the sheer consistency of their writing and performance. Much of this may sound familiar to you, but the band’s ambition and eloquent performance make Night of Joy a captivating listen, holding much promise for the future.
Soul Shard: http://www.soulshard.com/
