Nicolette

Nicolette's utterly unpretentious, uniquely cute voice and presence make the beauty of these songs shine all the more. Her debut enchanted fans of American West Coast music in the late 1970s. Gradually noticed through her work as a backing singer, she became widely known through her duet with Neil Young on American Stars 'n Bars. Under producer Ted Templeman, then at the height of his powers, a gathering of top musicians supports her as if every available star had been brought together.

Bill Payne on piano seems especially committed, displaying inspired flourishes worthy of Little Feat on every track. ‘Give a Little,’ written for her, has a rich, clear groove and may be the album's best track. Members of Little Feat and the Doobie Brothers, then still active bands, are here too. Young's ‘Lotta Love’ became a No. 8 hit in America. Bacharach's ‘Mexican Divorce’ and Sam Cooke's ‘You Send Me’ gain colour and flavour from their smooth, refreshing sensuality. A broad country feel harmonizes with Los Angeles modernism, reminding us how deeply distinctive and substantial that time was.