Delta (A.KA.) Naomi and Grainger E.P. By Michelle Dee

I received this EP early summer just as the days were getting hotter. I played it through and wrote some notes on the back of an envelope and then what happens, I put the envelope down in a pile and promptly lose it. It turns up, well half of it some weeks later and I spend the next few days staring at half of the words trying to remember what else was there.

This week I got my home computer fixed; it is terribly old and had been refusing to play CDs for well over a month. While we were moving the base unit what should appear but the other half of that brown envelope. I was delighted so now, belatedly, is the Delta EP review. It's taken some time but the unhurried nature of my story matches the music created by Andrew Grainger and Naomi.

The CD opens with an original number called Nothing's as it seems introducing Naomi's voice somewhere between country singers Jonel Mosser and Ruth Birch. Simple acoustic sounds punctuated by emotive piano lines and a message reflecting our changing world. This is a pretty opening song that introduces you to Delta's considerable song-writing talent and minimalist approach to arrangement. There's a change of pace for the first of two covers on the CD as the mood switches to sweet and soulful and just a touch steamy. You can imagine decadent folk grooving and moving in slow seductive style as the reworked My Generation plays out.

The finger-clicking beat and clipped bluesy chords compliment each other; it's so smooth it hurts...man!

Mature vocals, pure and simple for the second cover Ain't No Sunshine...Short and sweet managing to show of her considerable vocal power without the usual overplayed vocal gymnastics. Tied to a tree comes from a different place entirely acid drenched and invitingly late sixties, as oil lamps, burning incense, and communal living are brought to mind. Slow spiralling vocal effects from Grainger with clever poetic lyrics half sung half spoken. This part of the CD reminds me of the chilled out visions from the hippy scenes of Midnight Cowboy. Swirling noises caress and shimmer as strings, and hand drums create wispy layers for the voices to fold into.

All I Got Are Mondays opens with violin and cymbals crashing in metallic beauty. Again the soft percussion and breathy vocal tone is present reminds of Johti Mishra's acoustic outpourings. Like the previous hippie forays of before, Naomi provides occasional backing vocals and samples. The last number If The Dead Could See Sou has Celtic appeal to it and continues in the same minimalist smoky mood.

Naomi's voice floats out creating warm feelings inside followed by Grainger's tempting tones. As the strings echo the vocal tones, rich sonic seams are crafted.

Delta have a plan to come to Hull and have been provisionally booked to play a special Sunday Sesh at The Linnet and Lark on Princes Avenue. This gig is to promote the new single 10 years in Harlem coming out in November. This is a jazzy upbeat number with a more recognisable guitar hook from Grainger and a good vehicle for Naomi's soulful voice. The bass line shine out and make you want to shimmy and shake. To listen to some of Delta's smooth sounds go to www.deltasounds.co.uk www.myspace.com/deltasounds

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