Julia Biel - Not Alone (2005)

Since she burst on to the scene in 2000 by winning the Perrier Vocalist of the Year Award, critics have found Julia Biel's 'heartbreaker voice' (Ben Watt, Everything But the Girl) deserving of comparison to some of music's most imposing vocal talents. "Norah-meets-Bjork-meets-Thom Yorke" say Jazzwise, while others have commented on Biel's ability to deliver emotional content with a depth and authenticity that is rarely heard, drawing comparisons with the great Nina Simone. All agree that Julia Biel is a huge talent with her own style.

Following the award, Julia threw herself headlong into a number of collaborations as part of the F-ire collective. She has contributed notably to albums by Mercury nominees Polar Bear and Oriole. It is with the latter's Jonny Phillips that she has formed a song writing partnership, which fuels her debut solo album. Characterised by delicate yet epic arrangements woven out of acoustic instrumentation, the music is recorded with a line-up of outstandingly gifted musicians who rank among some of the most vibrant and respected in London today.