Jazz and soul singer-songwriter, the man in the hat, Mr Gregory Porter, is back, with his new album Take Me To The Alley. This is the eagerly awaited follow-up to Porter's sensational modern classic, the Platinum-selling Liquid Spirit, which broke into the Top 10 and became the most streamed jazz album of all time...

You can't improve on perfection, right? Well, Gregory Porter has managed to achieve the impossible. Last year's Liquid Spirit was a masterclass in delivering a well balanced debut album, and if anything Take me to the Alley is even more enjoyable.

Once again, there's a good balance of soul and jazz influenced songs over the course of this album's 12 songs (51 min, 12 sec). The LP kicks off with the slow, mellow 'Holding On', before bursting into the vocal delights that are 'Don't Lose Your Steam'. 'Take Me to the Alley', is one of the album's highlights, as is 'More Than a Woman'; and 'Don't be a Fool'.

There's not a moment wasted on this album. This isn't a quickly thrown together LP designed to cash in on Porter's success. Take Me to the Alley is a lovingly crafter labour of love; a carefully pieced together gift for Porter's many, many fans.

10

Nick Smithson