Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Despite making the questionable decision to have a stage name which sounds like either a pub or an egocentric rapper, this singer/songwriter from Wollaston (a suburb of Stourbridge, West Midlands) is an engaging new talent. I say "new" though as the 41-year-old songsmith Ben Coleman explains in his CD's inner sleeve, "This album is the product of some of the best and worst bits of the last 20 years of my life. I been writing songs since I was about 16 or 17 off and on." In view of this it's not surprising that the songs here are deeply personal but thankfully never teeter over into the self-obsessed expressions of angst many singer/songwriters are prone to. Sometimes the mood of reflection is beautifully caught,, like on "Beyond My Control" ("I can't help it/ The feelings within my soul"). The arrangements here largely feature acoustic guitar and minor chords and when other instruments are introduced, like on the haunting "Sometimes", the electric guitars, drums and, surprise, a trumpet work very well. Not all the lyric writing is at the same quality with one or two obvious rhymes creeping in while "Talk to Me" sounds like a song in need of a proper chorus rather than the title repeated seven times. But when Ben/Duke gets it right, like on the song "Killing Time", he really connects. In fact that song achieves one of the most difficult songwriting tasks - coming up with an expression of sadness which isn't downright maudlin. With a wistful acoustic and piano intro he nails it - "Monday afternoon and I'm not working/Sunshine fills my room but inside it's raining." Yes Ben, let's not wait another 20 odd years for album number two.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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