Ashok - Plans

  by Maarten Schiethart

published: 4 / 4 / 2007

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The debut from this Greenwich combo came as a surprise to me. Ashok does not feature members from the South Asian subcontinent! They are White London cats instead and are on a mission. There is absolutely nothing shocking about this album ! The diction and prononciation is very English, yet the loose style of Ashok's performance could make them become loved on the other side of the Big Pond. So, Ashok is just a name this gentle threesome chose. When she's uptight, backing singer Flo Welch has a slightly nasal voice like Neneh Cherry's - a wee bit hasty and undefined, but on the slower songs here, in which she takes the lead and concentrates, she will simply blow you away. It is as if she's just walked up the green after going for a deep breather on the south banks. 'Plans!' sounds exactly likes the flow that so very often transits from a place near water onto music. Ashok are a pretty traditional bunch and the genres they drew inspiration from range from soul, jazz and big band to ragtime and folk-pop. Their effing and blinding on several occasions brings an unsuspected development to this otherwise friendly, considerate and relaxed album. As the licks from guitar player and composer Christopher Lane thread towards a folky approach, Flo throws in her weight by developing a country and western style. It's capuccino bar music and I wouldn't at all be surprised if 'Plans' receives a warmer welcome in the US, Spain, France etc than in Grimsby. Chumbawumba without the pamphlets; Rip, Rig and Panic without the nervous excitement; or G. Love on the Thames: you get the picture.

Track Listing:-

1 A New Years Anxiety
2 Lean From The Middle
3 Sunday
4 Radix
5 Franky Boy
6 Always Ashok
7 Under The Thumb
8 Decadence
9 Geri Gigolo
10 Slow Tune
11 Happy Slap

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