albums and tracks

Speech Debelle is yet another reason why South London talent is beginning to dominate 2009. She may have to wait to achieve the commercial success Noisettes have finally notched up, and she might not have released a record as unexpectedly brilliant as Jack Peñate's forthcoming Everything Is New, but Debelle is a more than capable MC and songwriter.

There are a few pop culture references which will one day date Speech Therapy - such as the mention of an unwanted boyfriend's Xbox and an almost embarrassing Facebook namedrop on 'Go Then, Bye'. Elsewhere, though, the 26-year-old is a warm, articulate, honest and drily amusing storyteller.

'Spinnin'' sounds like an urban take on Kate Nash's 'Foundations', albeit with added brass and jazz-hop beats. Lyrically, it's hopeful and filled with simple lines like: "Some people are overweight/Some people ain't got no food on their plate."

Micachu contributes a downbeat chorus on the mischievous, string-adorned 'Better Days', while Speech's Big Dada labelmate Roots Manuva crops up on 'Wheels In Motion'. The result is half TV On The Radio, half Manuva-style urchin-rap.

Each of the 13 tracks is accompanied by understated and original production. Wayne Lotek's turns recall the organic, bright clarity of De La Soul and Arrested Development at their chirpiest ('The Key') and MJ Cole's UK garage glamour crossed with Motown sorrow ('Working Weak').

This debut effort from Debelle and her solid set of collaborators may lack big party tunes, but it's never predictable; it's a work of assured grace and character.

Lou Thomas