Singer Lauren Dalrymple has been on the scene for a number of years but “Copasetic” is the first album release under her own name. She is probably best known for her collaborations with pianist Alex Wilson and appears on his “Afro Saxon”, Anglo-Cubano” and “R&B Latino” albums. She has also worked with Tomorrow’s Warriors, Afro Cuban All Stars and with flautist Keith Waithe as well as appearing as a solo artist.

Born in Britain of Guyanese parentage Dalrymple has been singing from an early age. The CD cover reveals her to be a large lady with a voice to match and a lively and bubbly personality. “Copasetic” translates as “OK!” which is how Dalrymple feels at the moment after suffering more than her fair share of problems as the album’s liner notes make plain. The music, mainly comprised of original material is largely upbeat and lively, sung with feeling by Dalrymple and performed by a band of accomplished musicians drawn from the cream of the London scene. The core group consists of Chris Jerome (keyboards), Robin Aristorenas (guitar), Matt Telfer (saxophones), Sean Allen (bass) and Cheryl Alleyne at the drums. Three tracks feature an alternative line-up of Robert Mitchell (keyboards), Neville Malcolm (bass), Pat Levett (harmonica) and drummer Daniel Crosby.

Many of these musicians are leaders in their own right.

“Copasetic” kicks off in rousing fashion with a finger snapping version of the hipster anthem “Everybody Wants To Be A Cat” complete with scat vocal. Dalrymple’s powerful voice really raises the roof in the latter stages of the song.

The tender, self penned soul ballad “Love Never Fails” shows another side of Dalrymple’s talent in a confident and assured performance. 

The seemingly autobiographical “Copasetic”, co-written with Rod Freeman, is a survivor’s hymn which starts reflectively before bursting into life. Telfer’s smoky sax is given prominence in the quieter moments with a tumbling solo from Jerome enlivening the up-tempo section, the pianist driven on by Alleyne’s dynamic drumming.

“Heart Of Blue” is a convincing blues featuring Dalrymple’s powerful soul drenched vocal. Telfer and Aristorenas feature as soloists and Jerome’s Hammond is at the heart of the arrangement. Authentic and raw this is great stuff.

“Stella By Starlight/Stella’s Groove” is Dalrymple’s updating of the iconic, some would say over familiar, jazz standard. Given a thoroughly contemporary hard hitting groove it works superbly with Mitchell taking the instrumental honours at the piano. This is a thoroughly convincing makeover of an old classic.

“Song For Love”, another collaboration with Freeman, is a return to gentler territory with Dalrymple’s warm vocal offset by the Brazilian stylings of Aristorenas’ guitar.

“Don’t Wanna” is a brief acapella item with Dalrymple overdubbed and duetting with herself. The lyrics chastise an unsuitable suitor and the lead vocal line is soulful and defiant. The multi tracked backing vocals encompass scat and the overall effect bears a superficial resemblance Bobby McFerrin’s vocal set pieces.

Dalrymple is one feisty lady and “I Am” a tune co-written with her one time employer Alex Wilson is another powerful statement of female empowerment. 

The closing “Mama Speaks”, a tribute to Dalrymple’s late mother is not the lachrymose wallow one might expect. This is the celebration of a life and the mood is correspondingly joyous. The lyrics quote Mama’s own words and catch phrases and Pat Levett’s harmonica adds a touch of the “Stevie Wonders” to the arrangement.

“Copasetic” is an assured début that shows off Dalrymple’s talents well, both as a powerful but versatile singer and as an accomplished song writer. Much of the material is bright and sassy and well suited to her big soulful voice but the more introspective moments work well too. Instrumentally both line-ups are right on the money and the soloing is sharp and pithy. It’s good to hear so much good quality original material. “Copasetic” is an above average offering in a crowded field and deserves to do well.

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