FULL REVIEW HERE

Right, put down what you are doing (unless you are actually putting an animal down, sorry vets) and check this Bristolian ensemble out. That's not a 'check them out when you have a chance', this is a 'check them out NOW' sort-of statement.

Basically, there is a phrase which goes like, 'never judge a CD by its sleeve' and here is a release that I began judging all too soon by its naff anonymous sleeve and odd band-name. After listening to little more than 45 seconds of lead singer Yolanda Quartey's glass-shattering vocals and Phantom Limb's dextrous interplay on this live CD, I kicked my own arse very hard, told myself to get a grip and proceeded to sit very still for the remaining 45 minutes, wondering how on Earth this lot are not already shifting millions. They should have used the inside antique-image as the main cover though, to add a bit of 'home-town roots' if nothing else (the picture is of Bristol's College Green district).

Their forthcoming second album is being mixed in the US by Black Crowes-man, Marc Ford - I sincerely hope he doesn't swamp their exquisite sound with too much rock-influence - this is intrinsically a soul band, albeit a very melancholic one that sits with Aretha Franklin, Massive Attack (she has collaborated with them before), Carmel and Jocelyn Brown, buried in Americana and gospel up to their eyeballs. It is sumptuous.

The 8 songs here are derived from a Bristol Colston Hall showcase (and the band's debut studio album) last year and boy, is it done well. Singer Yolanda has a pair of lungs on her that would not only stop traffic, it would restart the stalled engines. The remaining band isn't there to support her in the least - it sounds like they are all playing from the same music sheet, mixing obvious soul influence with pedal-steel guitar and Hammond organ licks throughout.

Phantom Limb ooze confidence AND very pretty (yet minor-key) songs that wouldn't sound amiss being sung by The Blue Nile ("Run"), Staple Singers ("Waiting Around To Fall") and Richard Hawley ("Tumblin' Down"). These are mere glib comparisons - this outfit really do have their own self-penned songs to satisfy a larger audience - they've supported Will Young on tour recently - and it's only a matter of time until these roles are reversed. If they avoid doing naff gigs, repackage this CD and market themselves away from other similar acts on the circuit, they are made.

And trust me - I don't give 5-stars very often.