Alison Moyet Hometime CD

After a near-nine-year layoff, Alison Moyet's fifth solo album is a posh, lavish, elegant affair that shows she's lost none of her chops throughout the long layoff. Production by the Insects, best known for their soundtrack work, adds a torchy, dreamy quality to these tunes, all but two of which were co-written by the singer. Between the intricately crafted songs, the ornate production, and Moyet's soulful voice, this is arguably her most fully realized and cohesive work. Strings, keyboards, and multiple guitars layer into a big, lush, sophisticated sound perfect for Moyet's husky voice. While there is nothing that reminds the listener of Yaz, the synths, drum programming, and loops recall the more techno aspects of her old band, while adding an organic, if not quite rootsy, feel. If Dusty Springfield still made records in the millennium, it's likely they would be similar to Hometime. Personal yet expansive with just the right touch of ghostly R&B, this is a remarkably moving collection of European-style ballads. Somewhat reminiscent of Portishead's live work, Moyet sinks into these tracks as if lounging in an overstuffed chair. The elements combine most poignantly on the stirring "If You Don't Come Back to Me." With its hypnotic strings, reverbed guitar, and jazzy bass, it seems like she's interpreting an existing classic instead of writing a new one. Classy, subtle, yet often mesmerizing, this album is never less than affecting. It strives to be -- and often is -- a perfect vehicle for Moyet's talent, reaching heights that have only been hinted at in her previous work. ~ Hal Horowitz

Tim Norfolk (guitar, lap steel guitar, keyboards, bass, percussion, programming); Bob Locke (guitar, keyboards, vibraphone, bass, programming, background vocals); Pete Glenister (guitar, keyboards); John Lewis, Angelo Bruschini, Adrian Utley (guitar); Iain King, Julian Trafford, Fenella Barton, Juliet Snell, David Smith (violin); Steve Tees, Jim Sleigh, Katie Heller, Jackie Woods (viola); Trevor Burley (cello); John Baggott (piano, harpsichord, Hammond B-3 organ, keyboards); EG White (piano, programming); Paul Sherman, Roger Linley (bass); Dave Ballard (drums, percussion); Clive Deamer (drums); Tommy Payne (congas).

Personnel: Alison Moyet (background vocals); Tim Norfolk (guitar, lap steel guitar, keyboards, percussion, drum programming); Robert Locke (guitar, keyboards, double bass, percussion, drum programming, background vocals); Pete Glenister (guitar, keyboards); Adrian Utley, Angelo Bruschini (guitar); Chris Tombling, Laura Melhuish, Deborah Widdup, Richard George, Ann Morfee, Jessica OLeary, Sonia Fairbairn, Julian Trafford, Michael DeSaulles, Iain King, Richard Milone, Clare Hoffman, Hilary Sturt, Juliet Snell, Stuart Gordon, Fenella Barton, Harriet Davies, Beverley Davison, Ian Humphries, David Smith , Jeremy Morris (violin); Jacky Woods, Richard Cookson, Andrew Byrt, Jim Sleigh, Stephen Tees, Nick Barr, Bruce White (viola); Justin Pearson , Judith Herbert, Ben Davies, Emma Black, Trevor Burley, Nick Cooper (cello); John Baggot (piano, harpsichord, organ, keyboards); Simon Hale (piano); David Ballard (drums, percussion); Corin Dingley, Clive Deamer (drums); Tommy Payne (congas); Damon Reece (percussion); Derek Green, Ricci P. Washington (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Corin Dingley; Dave Bascombe.

Recording information: Christchurch Studio; Christchurch, Clifton, Bristol, England; Omni2; State of Art.

Personnel includes: Alison Moyet (vocals); Simon Hale (arranger, piano);

Q (9/02, p.109) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A surprisingly breakbeat-inflected collection....8 years is a long time [since her last release], but this was just about worth the wait."
Mojo (Publisher) (10/02, p.108) - "...The sound is warm, lush and ceaselessly inventive...Magnificent."