Inside-Out is the premiere EP by English multi-instrumentalist Nicky Jaques. Formerly known for writing and performing in bands fusing “world, Latin, jazz, afro-beat, hip-hop, soul and electronic influences,” she currently plays in a Herefordshire eight-piece group called the Sundown Jazz Society. She first started singing with a performing duo in 2013 and toured internationally with a five-piece band as a backing vocalist, keys and sax player. Jaques decided after all the time spent in groups, she needed to step out of her comfort zone to write and record her own song-based productions. Among her influences are Nina Simone, Cat Stevens, Ella Fitzgerald, Bjork, Bon Iver, Eva Cassidy and Grizzly Bear.
For backing musicians on Inside-Out, Jaques brought in various players through a project called “Livewire” which helps young people produce their own music. Jaques sings and plays piano and synth, assisted by Josh Lamdin (electric guitar), Stevie Callendar (bass) and Tom Collins (drums). Jaques explains: “One of the reasons I wanted to record a solo project was to develop confidence as a vocalist. I also wanted to explore writing songs in a different way and to take the reins creatively to see what I could come up with independently.” Her songs are influenced by folk, jazz, classical and left-field experimentation. Recording at home was a challenge “…to see what I could do with my voice by embracing the production side of things, and having the time and freedom to let ideas grow organically. I feel really empowered creatively now that I have embraced the process of home recording.” The tracks were mixed by Nick Powell and mastered by Katie Tavini. Deliberately paced, “Wake Up” opens the EP with Jaques’ reserved but quite pretty singing voice surrounded by ghostly overdubbed backing vocals. Jaques says her inspirations come from being outdoors in nature, and she tried to make her music “bright and fresh” to match that feeling. It’s a subtle thing but it does almost sound like there’s a light wind gently blowing throughout this song, and enough “air” in the arrangements to feel somewhat outdoors. The focus stays on the vocals and the other instruments are fully supportive without being intrusive. I especially like the final minute where Jaques ramps up the volume and emotion of her singing. “Stand The Ground” feels more like jazz with a vocal that owes a debt to Nina Simone and other jazz greats. Again, Jaques’ solid lead is gently overdubbed and ornamented with backing trills and scatting, and the instrumental arrangement closely follows the “Wake Up” template. “Let’s Move” is a song written from the viewpoint of immigrants constantly on the move and unsure of their fate. This song has an especially melodic chorus with the verses a bit more straight-ahead. “Silence” ends the set with dark and deliberate piano chords and some of the most intimate and affecting Jaques vocals. The chorus spins the song in a different direction with an intriguing off-beat rhythm and complex melodies. The background voices here are multiplied into a full chorus. Though Jaques has a lovely voice, it often feels slightly removed in the mix; there are times I would have loved her vocals to take up more sonic space and totally fill my ears. But that’s my only real note and it didn’t affect my enjoyment of this fine EP.
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May 2024
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