"What It Takes' / 'Not Your Style" is the brilliant debut release from hugely talented newcomer Bridgette Amofah. 'What It Takes', produced by The Rural (Gorillaz/Jamie T) is a sixties influenced slice of cinematic pop that's catchy as hell and should be a regular on the airwaves over the autumn. 'Not Your Style' is the perfect accompaniment - a heartbreakingly beautiful modern day torch song awash with brass and strings that highlight Bridgette's stunning honeyed vocals. Both are epic and full of drama and would be perfectly at home in a Bond movie.
Bridgette's songs and sound are quintessentially English but inspired by her musical heroes - from classic French artists such as Serge Gainsbourg and Edith Piaf, to Burt Bacharach and Minnie Ripperton with a nod to contemporary artists like Feist.
Ms Amofah's life story could have resulted with her heading down one of many different routes, such are her various talents. She toyed with becoming an author ? the first poems she ever wrote as a child were published ? and she still writes stories today. Then she did stint as a charity worker raising money for worthy causes before becoming a catwalk model - she was flown first class around Europe but was ultimately turned off by the industry and it's ways.
But Bridgette decided to follow the one thing that she was destined for, having been blessed with a voice that sings from the deepest part of the soul and the ability to write lyrics that make your mind twist and turn through her stories of love, loss & belief. She studied musical theatre and has performed extensively including in last year's cult show "Masque Of The Red Death'. This has had a profound effect on her music and stage performance.
The acclaimed group Oi Va Voi asked her to audition after KT Tunstall left the group for her solo career, and Bridgette stepped in to her shoes with ease. With them she has performed to thousands from New York to Moscow to Israel and has done live radio sessions for the likes of Jonathan Ross and Jon Kennedy.
Around the same time Bridgette began to develop her own songs and carve her unique sound, with the help of producer du jour Dan Carey (Franz Ferdinand/Hot Chip/Kylie).
This year saw her embark on a series solo shows, one of which was seen by uber cool French artist Sebastien Tellier, who then personally invited her to support him at London's Scala and the legendary La Cigalle in Paris.
2009 looks set to be a very bright year indeed for the beguiling Bridgette.