Latest soul CDs reviewed

STEE DOWNES

All in a Day

Sonar Kollektiv *** 

Soul music has always been central to Stee Downes's output as a DJ, producer and musician. It also turns out that the Dubliner, who served his apprenticeship performing alongside Amp Fiddler, Loose Ensembles and Bugz in the Attic, has a fairly soulful set of pipes at his disposal. Recorded in a fortnight in a makeshift studio in Croatia, All in a Dayhas an abundance of fine, jazzy, soulful highs. Downes's warm, confident voice is an essential component of the action. Producer Ishfaq deploys slick horns and funky guitar licks that coat the tracks with warm and sunny melodies. There are times when the mix turns a mite lumpy, but tracks such as Asunderand Put a Little Love in My Soulhave hooks and charms galore. www.myspace.com/steedownesmusic JIM CARROLL

Download tracks: Asunder, Put a Little Love in My Soul