2:20pm Tuesday 8th January 2008
By Kerry Ann Eustice
SOUNDING a tad like Lily Allen doing jazz, but with oodles more class, Kaz Simmons is the sophisticated modern songstress you must seek out this year.
Years living in jazz-loving Greenwich have nurtured a flair for traditional-sounding blues and soothing soul in the Goldsmiths-trained musician, who updates the sound with quirky lyrics and arrangements.
It is unsurprising walks through Greenwich Park inspired some of the music here. Like its muse, the songs on Kaz's second record, Different Smile, are bright, romantic and beautiful.
Her relaxed yet graceful voice - sounds almost as if she is chatting but perfectly in tune - is complemented sweetly and simply by a accomplished band. This and a few Zero 7-esque melodies result in a very easy on the ear, blissful brand of jazz.
With massive potential for popularity, jazz could well have found the crossover artist it's been waiting for; achieving what Rufus Wainwright - a clear Kaz influence - did for classical.
Tributes are paid on this record to thoughtful artists, such as Wainwright, who wanted their music to resonate on a deeper level. There's a cover of Nina Simone's If You Knew (in turn, inspired by a Jeff Buckley recording) and Wendy Cope's poem By the Round Pond is put to music.
Mentor and friend Ife Tolentino also leaves a mark. Brazillian standards O Circo Mistico and the irresistible beats of Estrada do Sol offer some upbeat moments of sensual soul alongside the more twinkly tracks such as Big Smile.
Hurry and allow yourself to melt into the loveliness of this promising talent.
Visit kazsimmons.com for further information on the artist.
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