Alison Solo is a British-Canadian Singer, Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She was born in London, England and emigrated to Ontario, Canada at the age of three. Alison self financed and recorded her first album, ‘Sakaita’, under the name ‘Alison Jane’ in 2008. Since then Alison also worked as a studio/session guitarist and backing vocalist for various studios and producers in the Toronto scene. She also toured in the United States with ex-INXS frontman JD Fortune as a live vocalist. In 2018, Alison returned to England and lived there for one year. During this period she rediscovered her British rock roots, and set about writing, producing and recording her current album ‘Plutonian’. The album was recorded in England and in Canada, and is reflection of her heritage and influences from both sides, resulting in a unique hybrid record. The album was mixed by Ron Nevison and released digitally via Bandcamp on 21st April 2020.“
This is the second album Solo has released but the first under this name and the nine tracks here make up a rather laid back affair like the languid acoustic Blues of opener ‘American Dream’ which bursts into life a just before the two minute mark before falling back again. It’s a nice introduction to the album.
There’s a lot to like about this release especially if you connect with Solo’s clean vocal. ‘Chiron’ for example is pretty infectious and deceptively simple till the breakdown which twists it into something more complex in construction; whilst cryptic ‘Glass Window’ adds gentle hints of psychedelia before getting a little Grungy.
Deeper in you’ll love tracks like my high-point here ‘Sister Rosetta Tharpe’ which immediately connects and rides a great groove all the way home. Then there’s the Black Crowes-like ‘Last One Standing’ and the Stonsey ballad ‘old English’ which is a wonderful way to close.
If I have one criticism it’s that I’d have loved this to have sounded a little rawer, but vocally and musically this is a serious shot in the arm. She’s up there with Ms. Fish in my book.
TRACKLIST: 1. American Dream | 2. Chiron | 3. Glass Window | 4. Beautiful And Old | 5. Interlude – What You Hide Can Hurt You | 6. Sister Rosetta Tharpe | 7. Vanishing Twin Syndrome | 8. Last One Standing | 9. Old English
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