Talking to Frank:
Despite being on the fringes of the music scene for several years, Ady Suleiman’s debut album has been a long time coming. Much of the delay was apparently spent getting out of record deal with Simon Cowell’s Syco label, and it’s clear within the first few foul-mouthed seconds of opening track I Remember why they were probably never a good fit.
Suleiman’s follows closely the template set by Amy Winehouse, matching foul-mouthed, brutally personal lyrics with a smooth, contemporary jazz backing; it’s no wonder he has gained the approval of similar artists including Laura Mvula and Leanne Le Havas.
He’s not quite up to their standard yet; some of the tunes aren’t entirely memorable, and his blunt take on sex and relationships is tinged with a slightly unpleasant laddishness. However, when he lets his guard down, such as on the gorgeous Longing for Your Love, it’s easy to believe he might yet become one of the greats.
This review first appeared in The Irish News
James JW Robinson 