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We know she featured on what some thought was “the best track” on Emmanuel’s D’Illusions Of Grandeur album but it does seem a long time since she hit us with ‘Drawing Board’ on Def Soul. I’m overlooking her last single on ‘big label’ and, to her credit, so is she as she’s now back with another new label. That’s why the title track, ‘I Am’is a reaffirmation that she is who she is. This is good news as we find her strong, confident and in excellent form ready to take the show on the road (see tour details below).

The other part of the story of the new album the excellent production by James Yarde (not to be confused with his elder brother, Jason). This album is grown-up soul/R&B and if further evidence of a return to form was required ‘No Matter Whatever’ and ‘Addicted’ are there for all to hear.

Fresh from his appearance on Robert Mitchell’s Panacea’s Trust album, TY gets in on ‘Addicted’ with a cameo rap, “I’m a celebrity you know”, “My favourite song is ‘Lets Get It On’… Do you like Marvin Gaye?… And then there’s ‘Sexual Healing’…” Oh yeah, we know what he’s getting at! And talking of name-droppin’, TY tells me his next release is coming out in September so do not spent all your pennies on your summer holidays.

‘The Truth’, ‘Forever & A Day’ are a couple of typical soulful ballads and ‘Alright With Me’ is a little clichéd, but she’s got such a great voice, even typical clichés sound good sometimes.

While the middle of the album is a little evenly paced, ‘Side By Side’ picks it you in neo-Amp Fiddler groove whilst ‘Outta My System’ is the ‘commercial’ one for daytime radio/TV plays; R&B charts no doubt.

The album finishes on a high with ‘Imperative’. As the funky-jazz one, with a solo by Jason Yarde, this one gets the Hectic vote for track of the album. If they’re thinking of a remix, it would really suit Fat Freddy’s Drop or La Cedille (or both) for a re-twist.

Welcome back Terri and continue to trust your intuition.

Reviewed: Terri Walker -I Am (Dekkor Records) Cat. No. DRCD014 Release date: 15th May 2006
Tracklisting:
1. I Am (3:48)
2. No Matter Whatever (4:03)
3. Addicted (6:00) featuring - Ty
4. Forever And A Day (5:16)
5. Alright With Me (4:44)
6. The Truth (5:11)
7. I Don’t Care (3:43)
8. Side By Side (4:31)
9. Outta My System (4:03)
10. Imperative (6:16)

Single: Alright With Me released April 24th

Tour dates:
Friday 21st / 22nd April : LONDON - Jazz Cafe www.jazzcafe.co.uk
Wednesday 26th April : LEEDS - The HiFi Club www.thehificlub.co.uk
Thursday 27th April : BRACKNELL - South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk
Saturday 29th April : CULDAFF’ INISHOWEN - The Backroom www.mcgrorys.ie
Sunday 30th April : MANCHESTER - Living Rooms www.thelivingroom.co.uk
Monday 1st May : BRIGHTON - Komedia www.komedia.co.uk
Saturday 6th May : LIVERPOOL - Carling Academy 2
www.liverpool-academy.co.uk
Sunday 7th May 2006 : Bristol - The River www.theriverbristol.com
10 May 2006 : GLASGOW - The Arches www.cpllive.co.uk
11 May 2006 : EDINBURGH - Cabaret Voltaire www.cpllive.co.uk

Links:
www.terriwalker.com
Terri Walker will be taking part in the “Celebration of My Sisters” concert, 25th March, 2006 at The Carling Apollo performing tracks from the new album as well as a few of her old favourites to celebrate national womans month with other artists such as Mica Parris.
www.dekkorrecords.com
A game of two Yardes - James Yarde & “All About” Jason Yarde
www.tymusic.org
Emmanuel - ‘Flirtin’ (Little League) featuring Terri Walker/Rodney P available as a CD SIngle at Juno.
www.defsoul.com