Daniel Mayweather: Love & War

May 31 2009 by Paul Cole, Sunday Mercury

DANIEL

MERRIWEATHER

Love & War

(Sony)

wFOR this debut album Daniel Merriweather wisely enlisted the production skills of his mentor Mark Ronson, having first come to prominence as a guest on his solo albums two years ago. Love & War arrives laden with Ronson’s trademark brass flourishes, but happily does not lose the soulful impact of Merriweather’s voice. Echoes of Terence Trent D’Arby abound in the unashamedly retro vibes which permeate this collection. Previous perky hit Change helps to generate momentum early on but best is new single Red, an epic tear-jerker with summer smash written all over it. JD