Ninthspace review of “Island”

MARCH 22 2008

Island, Jo Gabriel’s fourth full-length album (released in 2005) is probably an ideal introduction to her work because it holds new songs and others from earlier releases. Jo takes the indulgences of This Mortal Coil and weaves them inside traditional and otherworldly piano pieces, accompanied by strings, fretless bass, guitar, her sometimes unusual vocals and Linda Mackley’s perfectly balanced percussion. Whilst the results are obviously off-centre, they remains deliciously melodic and listenable even if the lyrics travel to other places.

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