The Beat Surrender

Like many people in the slightly cruel world of modern pop music, I only discovered the joys of Tina Dico and the voice that matches her own beauty thanks to her vocal contributions on Zero 7 songs Home and The Space Between.

While her fellow Zero 7 contributor Sia Fuller has received far more column inches and has far more support marketing wise within the industry (none of which I begrudge as she is an equally talent singer and a charming songwriter). I can’t help but think that Tina Dico has that little something extra, that could see her seriously cross over into the mainstream if she got the right push or bit of luck with a release.

That is of course if she wants to, which I’m not altogether sure she does despite her star quality, nothing wrong with that of course as I like to see the whites of a singers eyes when I go see them live, rather than being a distant figure on a huge stage.

Having done the Zero 7 thing and now seemingly leaving that behind, her solo career is one that moves at a fairly frantic pace. The albums are released from her on a consistent basis and despite being a fan I’m afraid to say at the moment I’ve only got the mini album Far in my collection. Which means that I can’t really offer comparisons on previous albums, that though isn’t an issue as I’ve judged Count To Ten on it’s (many) own merits.

The first noticeable thing is her voice, rich, powerful, yet ultimately everything is delivered with an empathetic softness that adds weight to the emotions that she’s singing and has written about. Her phrasing is also excellent, particularly on the single Sacre Coeur.

Throughout the ten tracks on offer here she conveys her emotions so openly in her vocals, Craftsmanship And Poetry is a gentle track that hints at real vulnerability, while My Business see’s her detailing about being there for someone when they need it and with that you get a stronger vocal.

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