Back To Black - Amy Winehouse Album Review

Album Review

Amy Winehouse + Back To Black = Modern Masterpiece!

The sassy 23 year old Londoner delivers the goods with swagger and panache. 2003s single Stronger Than Me and album Frank weren't exactly great sellers, despite being hits with the critics, winning he an Ivor Novello award in the process. This time it's a totally different situation, because she's appealed to fans and critics alike. Winehouse has a new-found confidence, having slimmed down four dress sizes with more aggressive make-up; she's turning into the UK's most promising talent in years.

Week commencing 6 Nov, the album stands at no.3 in the charts, propelled by hit single Rehab, (w/c 6 Nov no.7, download no 8, R'n'B no.2) Back To Black is a masterstroke of contemporary Jazz-crossover material, all delivered with supreme style. Her razor-sharp singing is a major highlight (as shown on Later...With Jools Holland Friday 3rd November) however, this album is all about truly brilliant songs, all written by Winehouse herself, with some collaborations. Using Lilly Allen and Robbie Williams' studio wizard Mark Ronson, Winehouse is going into a totally different stratosphere with this one, leaving Katie Melua and Norah Jones in her wake. Amy said, "I didn't want to play that jazz thing up too much again. I was bored of complicated chord structures and needed something more direct." That said, Jazz is very much a prime element, though this time, more subtle.

She's been checking out girlie groups from the 50s and 60s, and the likes of Aretha Franklin, found on reggaefied Just Friends.

Jam-packed with superb songs and impressive production, she's breaking new ground, though the past plays a big part. Delving, in places, into Tamla Motown and The Specials' musical ideas (You Know I'm No Good), she's proved to be a top class songwriter. Jools Holland commented on her incredible progression over the past couple of years. Rehab is an out and out classic, with many shades of Motown with modern twists. Me And Mr.Jones is textbook 60s swing, which other singers like Christina Aguilera are adopting. There's no question where the title track came from - right out of the Motown school of classic pop - you could just see the Funk Brothers doing their inimitable thing on this - brilliant. The stunning Soul ballad Loving Is A Losing Game could again be a Motown classic, taking Diana Ross head on, possibly her finest moment, as is the sprightly Tears Dry On Their Own : a (slight) remix could well be the next single - and another hit for sure. The triumvirate run-in has ballads using R'n'B beats, and yes, even more Motown stylings on the addictively punchy Addicted.

For one so young, Back To Back is truly remarkable, invigorating, and genuinely sensational. She's not only a diva, but a phenomenal talent, with her best years to come.

Verdict - perfection.

Elly Roberts