Kaz Simmons - Signs (2013)

Incorporating influences as diverse as progressive rock and musical theatre, the result is Kaz s bravest and most arresting work to date; an album that is far reaching yet coherent and a sound that is entirely unique yet absorbing and accessible. Unlike the haunting intimacy of third album,
Dandelions , Signs gives freer reign to the rest of Kaz s band. Will Bartlett 's organ pulses through the mix, Martin Kolarides 's reverb-soaked guitar swims and wails through mesmerising atmospherics and the irresistibly groovy rhythm section of Riaan Vosloo on bass and
Tim Giles on drums holds everything together with a light but confident touch. It's a mini-concept album of love, loss and hope and a big nod to London, her home city. "These are all songs based on experiences I've had whilst living in London. It can be hard-work, but I really love it here and wouldn't be anywhere else at the moment."

Review:
"It seems that, at some point in between recording her third album Dandelions and this latest album, Signs, Kaz Simmons has fallen down a stylistic well and grabbed on to a whole host of things on the way down, from early Floyd to Kate Bush. The range of colours and moods that the London-based vocalist and guitarist serves up here is quite astonishing. We get surprising transitions and sudden harmonic shifts ("Last"), gorgeous, stacked up vocals harmonies ("I Know You"), cavernous reverbs and overdrive guitar ("Your Love"), retro Wurly ("For the love of the Big L") and trippy interludes that build into all-encompassing walls of sound ("London Loves"). The addition of electric guitarist Martin Kolarides creates completely new layers of textural interest, supplying everything from catchy hooks to blissed-out psychedelia. And in the gorgeous title track, Simmons has created a song that I ll never tire of hearing." - Peter Quinn, Jazzwise