Denise Sherwood – This Road

On-U Sound / Evergreen Recordings

Denise Sherwood, daughter on On-U hero Adrian, has been simmering the tracks that appear on her debut album for the last seventeen years. Unsurprisingly, considering her pedigree and the family history, there are appearances here from the likes of Mark Stewart, members of Tackhead, as well as Filip Tavares; but thankfully, it never takes on the kind of overwhelming power of Tackhead. Instead, the pieces are constructed around Denise’s lovely voice, framing it to full advantage.

I read somewhere that at pone point, Denise had ben asked to join The Slits back around the reformation, but turned it down. On the strength of her voice here, the sweet and rather soulful range that she has wouldn’t have suited that more abrasive sound and she was wise to be patient and allow the songs here to gently entwine around her.

As might be expected, the eleven songs on This Road do come from the kind of dub reggae direction, but without really overplaying it. If anything, the producers with whom she has chosen to perform have kept the backing in the background; a gentle ebbing in places, but even when things turn an little tougher, her voice is never swamped. There is a sweetness but depth to her singing, and clearly the issues about which she is writing are personal and close to her heart.

The opener “Music Shall Live”, which contains a dreamy interjection from Lee Perry, is all about music’s long lasting power, but delivered in an assured way, full of belief. A textural cello from Ivan Hussey adds unexpected gravity and his subtle playing throughout the album is a highlight. There is a touch of the old trip-hop sound on “Let Me In”, with a bare-bones beat and scratches muffled in the distance. The tinkling piano and accompanying cello add a mournful gypsy feel, with her voice light and lingering, pleading but not desperate.

The tracks tend to move in quite a stately fashion, the campfire feel of “Amnesia Moon” assisted by acoustic guitar, with even a little Spanish solo to stoke the mood. Skip MacDonald and Doug Wimbish play through the reggae-inflected “Sweet Mary Jane” and there is a lovely little cabaret piano riff on “Ghost Heart”, one for the end of the evening when everybody else has left and the band are still playing, weary but satisfied.

The variety is impressive; a hint of lovers’ rock on the up-to-date “Uncertain Times” and a groovy South American vibe on “Sunny Days”, with woodwind from the Colombian Collective really adding to the already summery lyrics. It is a real antidote to the concerns voiced on the preceding track. A touch of dub echo enlivens the reggae beat of “Won’t Bow Down”, the lyrics of which are self-explanatory, and it runs brimming into the pull yourself together vibe of “Toughen Up”.

I have to say though that the ace in the pack is the final track which throws a curveball after the previous numbers. “Sweet Love” is replete with delicate electronic textures and no real beat to speak of, her voice sensual and measured. It veers into an Eastern violin coda courtesy of Filipe, and the smoky dub atmosphere that it evokes is something that would have been lovely to see pushed further.

This Road is a lovely, sensitive album, thoughtfully produced and framing one of the most delightful voices I have heard this year. Let us hope there is more to come.

-Mr Olivetti-