Single Of The Week • Karima Francis — ‘Chasing The Morning Light’

Forget Leona Lewis’s overheated cover of Snow Patrol’s ‘Run’; this week’s real treasure comes from a twenty-one year old woman whose debut single is the antithesis of slick studio bombast without sacrificing one iota of emotional power. No one’s doubting Leona’s impressive voice, but for those who like their singers a bit raw around the edges, Karima Francis is a promising newcomer. Despite an inauspicious start singing Céline Dion songs for her mum, her own songs came thick and fast once she started writing, and the depth of her rich, untrained voice promptly followed suit. After a series of characteristically showstopping acoustic performances in and around Manchester, Karima’s home since her late teens, indie label Kitchenware Records – home to Editors and Kate Walsh – snapped her up and set her to work in the studio.

Fast forward two years, and with debut album The Author nearing completion, ‘Chasing The Morning Light’ arrives as a stirring introduction to Karima’s earthy, deeply personal brand of classic rock/soul fusion. In the hands of someone else – Snow Patrol, for instance – this could be one of those annoyingly anthemic chart toppers that never goes away, but Karima’s simpler treatment is nonetheless very effective. It’s all about the vocal inflections as opposed to any real innovation, but where previous artists of this ilk have typically flopped in the commercial arena, the nation’s current fondness for radio-friendly female singer-songwriters may reward her well. If The Author can mix things up musically rather than relying too heavily on the vocal somersaults, big hits may be in store. For now, though, ‘Chasing The Morning Light’ is a rather lovely treat.

A limited edition 7″ vinyl is out now, and iTunes has it too. Karima embarks on her first headline tour of the UK in January, accompanied by guitarist Simon Robbs and bassist Ewan Warden. Catch the trio at the following venues:

18.01.09 Junction 2, Cambridge
19.01.09 Barfly, London
20.01.09 The Lamp, Hull
21.01.09 Doghouse, Dundee
22.01.09 King Tuts, Glasgow
24.01.09 Cockpit, Leeds
25.01.09 Loft, Castleford
27.01.09 Little Civic, Wolverhampton
28.01.09 Sugarmill, Stoke
29.01.09 Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
01.02.09 Bar Inc, Pontypridd
03.02.09 Cooler, Bristol
04.02.09 Cavern, Exeter
05.02.09 iBar, Bournemouth
06.02.09 Guildhall, Gloucester
08.02.09 Joiners, Southampton
09.02.09 Freebutt, Brighton
10.02.09 Barfly, London

Karima Francis EPK

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