Who Stole The Soul? So asked Public Enemy on Fear Of A Black Planet- and while it’s safe to say Hannah Williams & The Tastemakers won’t be branching out into the rap game any time soon, the praise from soul brothers & sisters alike has been unanimous.

Though it could also be read as a gospel sermon of sorts- minister’s daughter Williams laying on the heartbreak and stepping up the rhythm on opener Work It Out and Liberties before getting into the groove on Do Whatever Makes You Feel Hot, a prime candidate for the approval of late Godfather of Soul James Brown- staying on the scene like a sex machine before Don’t Tell Me ramps up the vibe ever further.

Unlikely dance craze of the year must go to Kitchen Strut, quite possibly the greatest kitchen sink soul drama ever written and every bit as cinematic as any number of the films of the similarly named movement in the movies- an alternative soundtrack to the likes of Look Back In Anger and Room At The Top, perhaps? Oddly fitting then that Washed Up follows it. Sadly not a tale of what happens after the Tastemakers have their tea- the possible chip grease and sauce stains probably a tad too risky for their sharply-tailored suits.

But the trip to the chippy is eventful judging by the events of (When Are You Gonna) Say You’re Mine, too many cans of shandy on the way there unleashing the mother of all domestics. But harmony is restored by Get It! (Part One), more of Mr Brown’s influence apparent before Hannah hipshakes her way into I’m A Good Woman- too right you are. And so the curtain closes on Things To Come.

And on this evidence that can only mean good things- critical acclaim greeting them wherever they may roam up that hill of feathers.

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