If the band Morcheeba were a book, they’d be a coffee-table one. Interesting enough to want to show off to your friends, so much so that that presumably explains the success of their breakthrough album, 1998’s Big Calm which itself no doubt took pride of place on coffee tables the length and breadth of the land. Skye Edwards was Morcheeba’s original vocalist before she reacted to her bandmates’ decision to take some time off, following the release of 2003’s greatest hits album Parts of the Process, by leaving to become a solo artist.
Although having some input on the creative process with Morcheeba, it was Paul Godfrey who was regarded as the lyricist. Skye likes to think of herself as the conduit between Paul and third band-mate, his brother Ross, describing her responsibility "was to join up Paul’s words with Ross’s tunes through melody." Mind How You Go, though, sees Edwards branch out on her own.
Not that she doesn’t receive some help from her friends. Husband Steve Gordon plays bass on the album and shares several co-writing credits. Writer/producer Pat Leonard (Pink Floyd, Roger Waters/Madonna/Jewel) also lends a hand. As does Daniel Lanois, noted for his work with U2, Bob Dylan, and Emmylou Harris.
Yet Skye manages to sound like none of those mentioned artists, with the possible exception of Jewel. In a way it’s a shame she doesn’t sing any duets. On her final album with Morcheeba, 2002’s Charango, the best tracks came by way of collaboration, with Lambchop’s Kurt Wagner on ‘What New York Couples Fight About’, with Slick Rick on ‘Women Lose Weight’, and with Pace Won on ‘Charango’ and ‘Get Along’.
On Mind How You Go, it’s all Skye however. With no contrast the tracks don’t stand out from each other so much and rather merge into one. But Edwards’ sultry, come-to-bed vocals ensure she’s helped to produce another coffee-table CD.
Release Date: 27 February 2006
Tracklist:
001: Love Show
002: Stop Complaining
003: Solitary
004: Calling
005: Wha's Wrong With Me
006: No Other
007: Tell Me
008: All The Promises
009: Powerful
010: Say Amen
011: Jamaica Days