Young and gifted singer/songwriter, Campbell left his native Scotland and band to seek fame and fortune in London. It didn’t take long for the lad to be noticed and signed to EMI. Q magazine picked him out as one of the most promising young musicians around and chose his beautiful, moving song Hope, Faith And You for a Summer compilation CD. The song was one of several superb compositions from Campbell’s debut album Fresh New Life, an album that I still regard as one of the best solo rock albums I’ve ever heard.

Unfortunately for Campbell the record company was going through one of its regular rationalisation programmes and the young man disappeared from sight. A little later I began writing about music and tried in vain to find Campbell. A couple of years passed and I eventually found him performing in London with a band called White Buffalo. The band released two stunning albums before the guys decided to call it a day, with Campbell eventually re-starting his solo career. Right now he’s playing his heart out in regular gigs in and around London and, unsurprisingly, building a sizeable fan base.

Amongst the growing band of quality UK singer/songwriters, Campbell is the unsung champion. This E.P. is a home produced affair that he sells-out at gigs, and it signals a young performer growing in musical stature. Campbell possesses a distinctive, strong voice equally at home with tender ballads and full-on rock songs. All of his work reflects an instinct for honesty and openness, strong lyrics and door-opening melodies. Introspection Campbell style is involving and moving; darkness mixed with hope; haunting and utterly beautiful.

This four-song E.P. sums up these characteristics and his special ability to connect big-time with the listener. Opening with the languid pace and country tinged sound of Same Old Me he reflects on life as it was and is. Next track Joy is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard in some time. Stripped-down guitar and drums accompanies a voice that travels the emotional scale. It’s a slow-moving, melodic heart-breaker, and a song I haven’t stopped playing for over a week. The next song Wiser is a revealing self-confession that doubtless reflects his experiences and feelings over several difficult years. It’s a deeply moving song delivered with a level of sincerity all too rare in today’s music.

By rights Campbell should be signed (again) to a major label so superior is his voice, songs and instrumental skills. But it seems to me that he is now doing what he wants – performing in front of audiences without hype and artificial constraints. If you’re lucky enough to live in London you really must go along to one of Campbell’s many shows, I can promise you that you’ll buy this E.P., and then want to do it all over again.

For more information on gigs and to buy this E.P. click on www.philcampbellmusic.com