Sharon Robinson - Caffeine

'Caffeine' is Sharon Robinson's second solo album. She is a classically-trained pianist whom is best known for her association with Leonard Cohen, but she also won a Grammy for her song 'New Attitude', which was used in the film 'Beverly Hills Cop'. She started worked with Cohen on tour back in 1979, and they have since co-written a number of songs together. In 2001, she wrote all the music for as well as performed on most of the Cohen album, 'Ten New Songs'. 'Caffeine' retains the beauty of her 2008 first solo album, 'Everybody Knows'. It opens with 'The Harder You Look for Love', which is as smooth as Sade and has a similar soul/funk edge. Her words flow gently but still deliver their message. 'Strong for Me' starts off in the style of the Beatles' 'Let It Be', and becomes increasingly more heartfelt and warm. 'Lucky', the only co-write here with Cohen, is a spiritual, upbeat number. 'Driftwood', a lonesome track, swims along beautifully and is guaranteed to get its listener bopping gently to it. The title track, 'Caffeine', again finds Sharon in Sade territory, and is a soft, jazz-influenced, late night piano number. 'Safe' is very slow and elegant. A solo trumpet and gospel backing add to its delicate flavour. 'The Storm in Your Eyes' has a swaying funkiness to it. Sharon tells her story on it very well. 'One More Song' is as doom-ridden as Nick Cave, and both sad and sorrowful. 'Along for the Ride' glides along seductively, and 'A Fragile Love' ends the album on another soft note. A fabulous album.

Track Listing:-

1 The Harder You Look for Love
2 Strong for Me
3 Lucky
4 Driftwood
5 Caffeine
6 Safe
7 The Storm In Your Eyes
8 One More Song
9 Along for the Ride
10 A Fragile Love