Rebecca Downes
Album: Back To The Start
Label: RealTwoReel
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.rebeccadownes.com

Back to the Start is the debut album from Rebecca Downes - a diminutive blues singer from the West Midlands - who on this evidence has a great future ahead of her.

The British blues scene is well represented by superb female singers - Connie Lush, Kyla Brox, Jo Harman - to name a few and Rebecca Downes is well placed to join them.

This is a well-produced album, which highlights the marvellous vocal talents of Rebecca. There are ten original songs, written with co-writer Steve Birkett.

The storming opening track is Messed Up, a full-on bluesy mid tempo number with great piano and guitar which focuses fully on Rebecca's powerful vocals. Great stuff.

When I'm Bad is a more funky upbeat affair with a catchy chorus. Fever In the Night has a Santana-feel to it with great drumming. Round and Round is a grungy powerhouse performance with a strong anti-abuse message.

Laughter From Her Room changes the pace - a slower ballad with tasteful guitar and piano. In fact, the playing across this album is exemplary.

Basement of My Heart, is already a YouTube video hit - with more than 27,000 hits so far and counting - with its infectious rhythm and soulful guitar it's easy to see why. "Let the fire start," sings Rebecca. Yes indeed.

Walking With Shadows in a slow minor key blues which shows off Rebecca's soulful side.

The title track is one of the more subtle tracks on the CD with laid-back guitar allowing the vocals to shine. The album concludes with Little Girl, a more measured song, which oozes class.

Top marks for presentation as well. Full lyrics are included in the glossy CD booklet.

An excellent debut CD from Rebecca. If this is the shape of things to come, I can't wait!

John Knighton