Linda Hoyle - Pieces Of Me (Reissue) (1971/2002)

Linda was the lead singer with UK jazz fusion group Affinity and this was her only solo album, now regarded as a forgotten masterpiece by fans around the world. A former English teacher, she quit Affinity in 1971, proclaiming she was tired of the music business. Nevertheless, she had one final shot at her vocal career and set about writing songs with the keyboard player Karl Jenkins, who later joined Soft Machine. The result was sufficient material for Pieces Of Me , in which all facets of her vocal and composing style are effectively showcased. He voice has been compared to both Grace Slick and Julie Driscoll, but her roots are more in jazz than rock. The songs range from the fast and frantic rock of Black Crow , to the subtle and beautifully sung Ballad Of Marty Mole , long a favourite among Linda Hoyle aficionados. Originally released on the Vertigo label in 1971 Pieces Of Me deserves to be rediscovered by all those who savour quality music from a seriously good artist.