Hollie Cook:
Twice:
Mr Bongo Worldwide:
CD/LP:
Out Now:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
With all her new-wave and punk connections (a Sex Pistols dad, no less and a member of the reformed Slits), Cook has far, far more to offer than just being a novelty toy for the music press to play with as Twice convincingly proves.
After delivering a resoundingly enjoyable slap on the back with a wholesome debut and its Prince Fatty dubbed-up companion album a few years ago, Hollie has now served up a heady brew of summery string-laden reggae that evokes mid-'70s reggae duo Althea and Donna and elements of Dennis Bovell throughout. Responsible for the throbs, bubbles and wooshes present is the aforementioned producer and long-time collaborator Prince Fatty who revisits the golden age of dub with accurate results, but manages to retain a contemporary feel without any of it sounding like '90s UB40 or Aswad.
Cook pays homage to Bovell-produced The Slits' Ari Up on the opening track which features a sublime change of key in places and some cheery strings that drive this lady's sweet vocals along without breaking any unnecessary boundaries. 99 and Looking For Real Love continue the dalliance with vintage orchestrated reggae, offering extended mixes that showcase Fatty's nifty mixing tricks, while the closing Win Or Lose is perhaps worthy of caning on a hefty sound-system with a long cool tall flagon of booze in tow.
Although Hollie Cook doesn't scream or shout like her Ari idol, preferring to croon in hushed tones not far removed from Kirsty MacColl in places, Twice makes a statement of sorts - it says hear me, buy me, love me. Bring on the dub album!
Twice:
Mr Bongo Worldwide:
CD/LP:
Out Now:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
After delivering a resoundingly enjoyable slap on the back with a wholesome debut and its Prince Fatty dubbed-up companion album a few years ago, Hollie has now served up a heady brew of summery string-laden reggae that evokes mid-'70s reggae duo Althea and Donna and elements of Dennis Bovell throughout. Responsible for the throbs, bubbles and wooshes present is the aforementioned producer and long-time collaborator Prince Fatty who revisits the golden age of dub with accurate results, but manages to retain a contemporary feel without any of it sounding like '90s UB40 or Aswad.
Cook pays homage to Bovell-produced The Slits' Ari Up on the opening track which features a sublime change of key in places and some cheery strings that drive this lady's sweet vocals along without breaking any unnecessary boundaries. 99 and Looking For Real Love continue the dalliance with vintage orchestrated reggae, offering extended mixes that showcase Fatty's nifty mixing tricks, while the closing Win Or Lose is perhaps worthy of caning on a hefty sound-system with a long cool tall flagon of booze in tow.
Although Hollie Cook doesn't scream or shout like her Ari idol, preferring to croon in hushed tones not far removed from Kirsty MacColl in places, Twice makes a statement of sorts - it says hear me, buy me, love me. Bring on the dub album!