Lynne Fiddmont

I'm so glad to get to do this review.
Every now and then, you know you're in the 'right place, at the right time' and getting to just tell a few others that love great music about the next 'big thing' in soulful singers is a privilege I don't take lightly. LYNNE FIDDMONT has produced, engineered and written an incredible release in FLOW on MidLife Records.

To attempt to describe it is to immediately do it an injustice. It's an aural experience that literally borders on a spiritual awakening. You'll first experience the sheer joy of HOLIDAY, a tune that could easily become an anthem on jazz and R&B stations alike. It's light and easy and full of wonder and sang with such passion, you just want to get up from your desk and literally take a holiday. But where most CD's fail to deliver on the followup tunes after auspicious openings, this outing continues to build, one on top of the other until we are left breathless from the enormity of talent that is Lynne Fiddmont.

Her voice isn't filled with tricks nor does she attempt to outshine her arrangements, she's comfortable being subtle, and part of the whole. She's reminiscent of all the great vocalists in that you know she's a true musician, studying the craft of tone, placement and timing. Every tune is a stand out for various reasons, but heed the advice of the title tune FLOW, that reminds us to simply get in the go.., and live this life that we have, as opposed to the one we wish we had. Ending with her passionate reading of NO REGRETS, you can understand that the tune as it's arranged is meant to show you her depth of skill as vocalist, but do pay attention to the lyrics of this song as she tells us exactly the kind of woman she has become in this new chapter of her life and career.

Having sang and performed with so many of the legendary artists of this recent era, she dedicates FLOW to the memory of the late Carl Anderson, her mentor and friend. She says that he's responsible for encouraging her that she, too, might have something special to share. In the world of understatements, this one is supreme. - Douglas Eden, Eden Dust, NY,

After touring and recording with megastar and r&b legend Stevie Wonder for nine years the world finally gets an opportunity to wrap their arms around the refreshing vocalizing of Lynne Fiddmont.
While on her journey to explore a world of music, Lynne took a worthwhile musical voyage by singing with virtually the biggest stars in the music biz including Phil Collins, Babyface, Yolanda Adams, Bill Withers, Mariah Carey, Whitney to name a few.

Ms. Fiddmont’s long awaited debut “Flow” is a wonderful collection of soulful music filled with expressive lyrics and beautiful voicings at moments echoes the late Minnie Riperton. What amazes me about Lynne Fiddmont is how she patiently waited for her season to record and produce her debut album, and what a magnificent job she’s done and the beauty of it all it's on her own record label Midlife Records.

Lynne dedicates this project in loving memory of her friend and mentor the late Carl Anderson. Lynne shares her innermost thoughts about Carl by saying, “thanks for making me believe that I, too, have something special to share.”

Folks, as you can tell I excited Lynne Fiddmont’s debut it’s a sheer joy to listen too. Most of the nine tracks on “Flow” are written by Ms. Fiddmont, she brings a refreshing spirit lyrically and instrumentally to the center stage. She opens and closes the album on the jazzy tip with “Holiday and the classic No Regrets.” In between the bookends, she works in the warm and tender “Cupid.”

“Flow,” has a nice steppers spin to it. No question, this among many songs here will definitely do the trick for me! Up next, the sassy “Something I Can Feel,” contains infectious melodies with a touch of samba accented by a tasty guitar solo by Vadim Zilbershtein.

After a couple of listens, you’ll find yourself deeply attracted to not only her charming vocal style but you’ll soon thereafter discover the timeless quality "Flow" processes. Her mesmerizing lyrics will leave you spellbound, she is undeniably soulful, mature, fresh, and her sophisticated arrangements are accented with a touch of jazz enhanced by infinite array of melodious flavors simply called Lynne Fiddmont! - Rob Young - Contemporaryjazz.com

"Flow" the single was one of my top tunes of 2005 and its with great joy that the album has now arrived. We all know this Lady from her numerous vocal appearances and especially her work with Wayne Linsey back in 1991. If you loved that album then you will not be disappointed with this. The vibe of the album is laid back, sun-drenched with Latin and jazzy flavours and unapologetically adult-orientated. Lynne's vocals are fantastic and are also captivating in that it is sexy, smooth, luxurient and relaxed in some magnificent amorphous mulch. For instance check out the opening song, the ESSENTIAL "Holiday". Every time I get into this warm Latin groove I hear Sheree Brown's influences, Patrice Rushen's sensibilities, Leon Ware's barely restrained eroticism betwixt the groove and Syreeta's sensitivity in delivery. Oh yes, this is what I want to hear!!!

"Cupid" is a gorgeous floater that will have lovers of Rhonda Thomas' "Passion Plea" reaching for the repeat button. We do not hear tracks of this quality much nowadays, dear readers, and the fact that there are but 9 songs on offer here should not put you off at all. Here in this world it is the quality that counts and there's more of that in the first two tracks that anywhere else let alone the rest of the CD!!!

The aforementioned "Flow" lopes along with its happy, jaunty stride and has echoes of Leon Ware within its make-up. I'm thinking more of the sensitive synth arrangements and chord changes that are cleverly and neatly understated. If you like the tropical, warm feel then the percussive flavour of "Something I Can Feel" with sax courtesy of Keith Fiddmont will certainly appeal. When I heard "Never Really" I could imagine Natalie Cole attempting this type of ballad. I especially like the fresh, live feel of the recording and Luis Conte on percussion and Ricky Lawson on drums have a big part in this. This song seems woefully short for my liking – a sure-fire indicator that I love it very much and cannot get enough of it. Luckily the beautiful "U R Loved" has similar traits and although does not rise to such dizzy heights has much to keep you gripped. The gentle backing, heavenly vocals with Bridgette Bryant and Fred White in support are sublime. Impressive still is the excellent "Say" which features Freddie Washington on bass. This could have been recorded in the quality soul heyday of the early 1990s; it really is that good.

It really is lovely to have real singing and real instruments in the studio, and even when programming is the order of the day on "Feels So Right" this does not let the side down. Slinky, sexy and in the pocket. A dream of a track, enough said. The final song, "No Regrets" is the jazziest offering and a smart, cool way to drop the curtain on what has to be one of THE albums of 2006 so far. Please do not overlook this album. Hopefully we will receive more gems like this from Lynne in the coming years.
- Barry Towler, SoulExpress

Much attention for Flow has been placed on the disc's two singles, the beautiful ballad "U R Loved" and the infectiously smooth love song, "Cupid," but the album is full of other great tracks like "Something I Can Feel," "Never Really" and the title cut. The fact is, Flow is a joy from front to back, a happy reminder of the short period in the 80s when talented, jazz and soul influenced female singers dominated the airwaves. Fiddmont's thoughtful song selection and restrained production make for wonderful late night listening, and transform this disc from simply a nice listen to a real gem.

With Flow, Lynne Fiddmont has finally made her move, and its a move right to the front of the pack. Highly recommended. - Chris Rizik, SoulTracks

Destined to go down in Quiet Storm history as nothing short of deliciously divine promise fulfilled, this overdue debut by the session singer who has supported everyone from Stevie Wonder to Phil Collins is a richly inspired wonder. The 9-song project (recorded for her own boldly named label MidLife Records) is filler-free and overflowing with creamy songs of love and humanity that will kiss your blues away. The poetess sings and writes of love with a mother’s insight and a lover’s passion on jazz-tinged soul songs such as “Cupid,” “Never Really” and “U R Loved” in a voice that soothes, penetrates and caresses like aural ointment.

And here’s the miracle: the prescription never runs out…you just hit repeat to start the massage all over again.
- A. Scott Galloway, "Startime" - Urban Network

"Lynne's Record is Hot! She’s been mine for years, now she will be yours." - Stevie Wonder

“I’ve been knowing Lynne for many years now and besides being the sweetest person you’ll ever meet her talent is incomparable. She has used her wonderful voice with people like Stevie Wonder and Phil Collins and countless others and this breakout album is way over due for her. Once you hear it you’ll agree she has finally come into her own”. - Frankie Beverly

LOS ANGELES (Billboard Nov 18, 2006) - Where would R&B be today without the likes of such heart-stirring pioneers as Ruth Brown, Etta James, Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin? This year has borne witness to an array of albums by a female contingent ranging from seasoned vets to wet-behind-the-ears newcomers. That list includes Beyonce; Janet Jackson; Monica; LeToya; Corinne Bailey Rae; India.Arie; Mary J. Blige, who actually released her poplar comeback late last year; Gladys Knight; and Natalie Cole. Laboring under the mainstream radar, however, are several 2006 releases that warrant attention.

LYNNE FIDDMONT has supported everybody and his brother during her career. Her credits sheet is dotted with such well-known names as Seal, Stevie Wonder, Babyface, Bill Withers, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. Now she’s stepped to the forefront with the self-released “Flow” (on the revealingly monikered MidLife Records). Traditional yet jazzy soul is Fiddmont’s province, and the sultry singer gets right to the point on this nine-song collection. Though it may be short in its number of songs, this album doesn’t stint on pleasure. “Holiday,” the samba-juiced opening track, makes you want to jump in the car and drive up the coast top-down, face in the wind. Fiddmont shifts from sexy (“Feels So Right”) to romantic (“Cupid”) to sassy (“No Regrets”) without forcing the issue -- a welcome respite from today’s many overemoting chanteuses. - Gail Mitchell, BILLBOARD

"It's finally time for Lynne to take centre stage and display her talents. The album encompasses the finest adult contemporary soul with that smooth sensuous voice which can only be Lynne and the Jazzy Soul single “Cupid” surrounds you with that sound. The release of her debut solo album will undoubtedly provide her with the recognition she so richly deserves" - Geoffrey Bingham, www.starpointradio.com UK

I’ve been listening to Lynne sing since 1987 when we did “But Seriously” together. I was immediately struck by her sweet and delicate voice. It seemed that the notes just fell from her, they weren’t pushed or forced.

Finally she relented and agreed to come out on tour with me on my “Final Farewell Tour” that we did worldwide 2004/5....and having her up there with me was a great thrill. She is such a lovely “human being” as well as a consummate professional.

This new CD shows her off to be the singer she is....one that can twist your heart any way she wants to.
- Phil Collins