Cathy Davey - Something Ilk (album/ Regal) By Steve Rudd Release Date: August 23rd 2004.

This 14-track release is an infinitely interesting and beautifully conceived album, opened with Come Over, which is reminiscent of the sultry sounds that Italian-born singer-songwriter Elena is making. Complete with a cool riff and sexed-up PJ Harvey-esque swagger, this is just the first of fourteen equally classy tunes. During the recording of the album, Cathy and the producer (Ben Hillier, who's well known for his work with Blur) boldly set about experimenting with sounds and pre-war microphones.

For much of the time spent in the studio, the studio doors were kept open, allowing any incidental noise to drift into proceedings and to be captured on record for all time, which gives the entire album a genuinely atmospheric edge. Her Cold Man's Nightmare is one of the most intimate songs that's piano-led, with her lovely, half-singing and half-whispering voice soulfully shining and sultry - somewhat in the style of Joss Stone's groovy vocalising. Having opened for Supergrass and Graham Coxon, Cathy's songs are extraordinary affairs, the single release in Clean & Neat (in which she freely admits, I'm ready to eat) being abstract in nature yet an engaging slice of subtle soft-rock music all the same. Hammerhead is further evidence of the angelic subtlety on offer, before the acoustic jazz-fuelled Yak Yak, and then the beautiful, chorus-centered Mine For Keeps that closes the album. When all's said and sung, listening to this album in all its glory is a fantastic way to spend an hour. Or more - should you wisely decide to slap Something Ilk on repeat. 4/5 www.cathydavey.com

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