Shirley Davis / Silverbacks - Wishes & Wants

Vinyl LP pressing. 2018 release. Authentic funk and soul with a dash of Afrobeat, Wishes & Wants was written by Davis in tandem with the Silverbacks musical director and lead guitarist Eduardo Marti´nez, plus song-writer Marc Ibarz, and it's a welcome new addition to the lineage of classic soul albums defined by the struggle of a black woman in life, love and loss. Says Davis "We write together - they understand my life story and all I've been through." On Wishes & Wants the London diva gives everything, her vocals carrying scorned fury, heartfelt longing and joyous celebration. Her voice echoes the greats of soul music such as Marva Whitney - whom Davis has sung bvs for - and Gladys Knight, as well as contemporary artists such as Macy Gray and Sharon Jones - the latter a friend and mentor to Davis and a pivotal figure in her incredible tale. The album opens with the gritty, righteous funk of Wishes & Wants before moving into the red hot soul of 'Like Fire'. Davis channels her inner Winehouse on the aggrieved soul stomper 'Treat Me Better' before turning the tables on the male protaganist in the uptempo funky dancer 'Kisses' describing him as someone who is "ugly... but kisses so good!". On "Silverbacks theme" Davis let's the band do the talking on a rolling groove where organ, horns, guitar and drums battle it out whilst 'Nightlife' is a delciciously bumping slice of heavy Afro-funk and 'All about Music' is heavenly Southern Soul of the claibre Marva Whitney was famous for. With Wishes & Wants Davis and the Silverbacks keep the torch of funk and soul burning bright as they carve their names into the lineage of contemporary greats. "The new album benefits from our confidence, from our mutual respect and appreciation of each other as musicians and performers. I'm not going to get this sound from any other band in Europe" states Shirley. "This is the only thing I know how to do here, and this is what I believe I will do for the rest of my life. I am meant to be the soul diva of Europe". The spirit of Sharon Jones lives on.