aaamusic | On 05, Feb 2012

14^th brand themselves as a ‘musical collaboration’ rather than your conventional band and it’s easy to hear that. The duo is made up of Tom Barber and Tracey Duodu, a fusion of their respective production and vocal talent.

‘Take Me There’ is the latest offering since debut EP ‘Hide Yourself’. It’s a carefully crafted homage to a bygone UK garage sound and a tune that’s been gaining a lot of momentum by both dance and broader music publications.

Hook-wise, the single relies heavily on it’s instrumental element, owing much to the keyboards but why shouldn’t it? Barber is a fully-fledged beat master that knows his production as well as his melody.

Unfortunately, “why don’t you take me there” doesn’t cut it as the could-be club classic chorus, which is a shame as Tracey is a capable vocalist and a master of her own style. Tom’s clever subtle production technique only does her justice but her power really does go unnoticed in the crucial section.

I wouldn’t predict a UK garage revival anytime soon but 14^th show their merit and ability by embodying it in this single.

Take Me There is out on Monday 6^th February.

 

Martin Vacher.