Album Notes

The Album
The ten songs have a lyrical hardness and contemporary vibe to them. Toni has made a personal statement. Old and new loves are commented on: a need to look forward with a new confidence and vitality reaches out from all the songs. The personal pain of 'Lessons' capturing the experiences that go towards finding who you are and where you want to be and not letting people stand in the way of getting there. The album moves between the highs of love with 'He's too Good to Share' and the anger of 'My Letter' showing the twists and turns of Toni's experiences illuminating how she has dug deep into the past to recast the future.

Toni has sent out the message that she refuses to be 'pigeon-holed' and the album cascades through the genres forming its own style melted out of soul, pop and R'n'B. The one constant is the voice. Strong and certain of its purpose, pushing out the emotional truth of each bittersweet tune.

There is an honesty and integrity to this album that will affect the listener reminding them of their own lives, wrapped up with the infectious tunes and the spirit of optimism.

Review
Toni James - Unsigned review October 2005
By Natalie Haywood *

The Liverpool singer-songwriter Toni James and her band of the same name are currently enjoying a series of gigs in the North West, where their soulful funk and pop sound has had the crowd nodding for glee and clamouring for more.

Toni combines luscious and seductive melodies with a harmonic vocal that invites you in the song itself. "He's too good to share" demonstrates the great commercial song writing capacity of Toni and proves to be a firm favourite on the album.

The charismatic charm and likeable lyrics make their live performances a delight to watch. Toni herself oozes with confidence as she powers her songs out and effortlessly works her way around the stage.

But, this isn't their first foray into the music industry; although Toni James is a relatively new band, each band member has been involved in gigging and making music for years.

So what's next for Toni herself? "I'm now seeking representation and a recording contract, its going to be hard work but I'm ready!"

*Music reviewer for BBC Liverpool online and owner of Soundmob Music Consultancy.