Elly Roberts reviews

Karima Francis: The Author

Distributed by
Kitchen Ware Records

Released: March 2009

Rating: 8/10

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New tubes. New tunes... oh, yes.

Karima Francis isn’t another Lily Allen. She’s not Amy Winehouse or Duffy either. Karima Francis is Karima Francis….that’s sorted then.

This very talented songbird has a barnet as huge as younger Bob Dylan that sits on top of a really skinny frame. A good omen maybe? What comes out of that frame is quite remarkable. There are times, when she’s at her yearning best; she draws parallels with a young Joan Armatrading. Having a great voice isn’t enough. You still need to have a strength in depth in songs. They’re here too.

With the vocal control to be effective at first and top gear, this young lass has the potential to take Britain by storm. Her showing on a recent Later..with Jools Holland will have given a springboard to stardom.

Originally from Blackpool, now Manchester based, Francis was a drummer in several metal bands, though her singing talents were spotted earlier by her mum when she sang on karaoke aged 10. Manchester’s now famous event In The City brought her much attention, winning industry hearts in the process. For one who didn’t think she could sing, which is the only way she thinks she can express herself, she’s made a remarkable job on her debut.

This lush collection is sweet, tender, upbeat and melancholic in equal measure. She brings an empathy and delivery way beyond her 21 years. She enters via gentle acoustic pics on title track: then comes this husky-tinged blast that gives you shivers. She masterfully wraps her voice around this gorgeous achingly beautiful ballad that unfolds into a neat crescendo. This is followed by what might be an excellent radio friendly single – Again : very catchy hooks and melodies aplenty. Oh Laura, later in, would also do the trick. What comes next, is enough to melt the coldest of hearts – Chasing The Morning Light. The way she delivers the line, “ I love you…” is enough to bring you to tears.

Francis, a song she performed on Later…is more in the American lightweight rock ballad, and by the midway point she’s opened her awesome tubes to full capacity. There’s no doubt, its on the ballads that Karima proves most effective such as the swooning passion of Hold You, a whopping love song that should win over the guys, and arguably the best song here.

Of all the songs on The Author, it’s the simple and stripped back ballad Forever that actually shows her vocal range the best – this is where it really takes off in terms of her singing skills : a truly stunning performance that even Duffy and Amy would struggle to match, even on their better days.

The Verdict: Rising star.

Weblinks: myspace.com/karimafrancis / kitchenwarerecords.com

Radio: Hear tracks soon on THE PLUG at wrexham.com

The full list of tracks included are :

1. The Author 2. Again 3. Chasing The Morning Light 4. Francis 5. Hold You 6. Morse Code 7. Remember Your Name 8. Oh Laura 9. Forever 10. Laurel Avenue

Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.

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