Martin steps up to the starting line with an assured and accomplished debut..

With acoustically orientated artists becoming ten a penny with every passing day, it is refreshing that Still avoids the typically token and rather obvious electronica diversion. Producer Stephen Shannon may be accredited with beats, samples, 303 and “traffic”, but it’s the flourishes from Rachel McGinley’s cello, Gerard Eaton’s hammond and harmonium and David Carmondy’s French horn which lend an air of subtle classicism to Still. The success of the collective exercise is wonderfully illustrated on ‘Tired’, a track that previously appeared ‘round these parts as a gentle and heartwarming 7”.

The prevailing tone is downbeat but never ever dreary, confessional without being self-obsessed and direct without ever being obvious. ‘Better Now’ may be simple and fragile, but it also reveals a resilient and determined core. The title track sees Jeff and friends at their very best, with the haunting tones of the outro remaining in the head, heart and ears long after it gently ends. This is exactly the kind of stuff that gives the maligned phrase ‘singer-songwriter’ a good name and a new sense of purpose.