(Atlantic) ***
BORN in Edinburgh, but brought up around Newquay, Ruarri Joseph was out of step from the get-go. And his debut album continues the theme.
Tantalising acoustic guitar figures herald a confident but unobtrusive voice augmented by gentle accordion rolls, percussive clogs (yes, really) and edgy blues progressions. His songs remain rooted in a west country sensibility from the Celtic stew of Won't Work to the positive vibes of Patience and the off-kilter philosophy of The Perfect Man Is A Woman. That said, Cuddles Are The Best Thing is just too twee for words.
For those who buy into the corporate chill-out muzak of Jack Johnson et al, Ruarri Joseph presents a far headier alternative - like John Martyn when he was good, or Nick Drake, or Robert Wyatt. Only happier.
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