Rumer Slow

I am still glad I watched "Later"¦with Jools Holland" a few weeks ago, because on that show, late at night, was Rumer, a 31 year-old female singer/songwriter performing some of the best soul compositions I have heard in a long time. It was a strongly endearing live performance, and they were strongly endearing songs, uplifting but infused with the quiet melancholy of setback and past disappointments.

Now, later this month she will be singing and playing her work at London's imposing Royal Festival Hall -- a great official wax stamp of support from critics and the music-buying public that her abilities and writing prowess are good for modern lounge. This was a lady that, after years of singing in different bands, launched to widespread popularity and major label success in a matter of months. Burt Bacharach flew her to California to sing for him.

Her voice really is something to behold. I mean I just sit back and fall in after many listens. The best way to hear it is via any live video performance on the net, as she couples it with a quietly seductive presence; but on record, via debut Seasons of My Soul, she is rich like honey and smooth as cream.

"Slow" brought her to BBC Radio 2's attention when the station was inundated with calls after her first airing, and with the debut album, there are many more excellent tracks to add. My personal favorite is "Aretha" because it shows off Rumer's writing talent. For all the ruthlessly formulaic concoctions of people in studios trying to bash out soul anthems, this song about being a little girl walking to school listening to Aretha Franklin is, I hesitate to say, as touching as the hits that latter lady produced.

It is sort of unfortunate that she has drifted into a very clearly demarcated marketable target of lounge music for nice apartment parties, but it is also a sign of her wide appeal. Disarmingly mellow and earnest, I don't doubt audiences will keep her in the front of their minds in a fast-moving music world.