Artist: Claire Phillips
Album: Say My Name
Label: Mom Entertainment
Year: 2006
Reviewed by: Woodstock Slim

Well it was a little before 2006 Claire Phillips was discovered but  we'll hear from her for many years to come. She's not a force that will go and lie down in this industry that is so hard to penetrate and worst of all sustain. It was the little known track two - "Anytime" that got me hooked on "Say my name", which I originally thought was not my kind of music. When it was exactly my kind of music. We have very similar backgrounds and grew up listening to South African Jazz greats, like Abdullah Ibrahim, Errol Dias, Robbie Jansen, Kippie Moeketsi and Jonus Gwanga to name only a few. Hailing from the suburb of Belhar, she began singing as a child and soon mastered guitar playing.
Starting out doing covers like most artist do unfortunately she completed her debut album during 2006 for the independent label, MOM Entertainment. The album was recorded in Joburg, produced by fellow Capetonian Patrick “Caramel” Hickey. Claire’s vocal range complements a repertoire includes jazz, funk, soul and folk. She normally performs in a trio: her own
guitar and voice working alongside the bass of Andre Hope, and the drums of Junior Mbouta.
With a SAMA award in her pocket I can't wait what she'll come up with next. "Say my name" is a tame album and now that everyone believes in her and she believes in herself her next
album is going to explosive! She has a great vocal range and there is absolutely nothing surprising about going to next level, and for Phillips that would be up there with Turner, Braxton, Hill, Flack, Franklin and even Badu and Blige.
"Say My Name" goes everywhere. There are little pockets of surprising melodies all over the place. Bits of awesome rap sections too. This and delicate jazz standards are played
gently behind her voice and the control of her sweet guitar whispers. It is clear that she has a plan and the music never once leaves the grasp of her hand. She follows the music and
before you know it it follows her but the truth is... she could have stripped this album down to her bare voice and it would be equally as impressive.
Claire Phillips is refreshing and uniquely Cape Town and uniquely South African and a ground breaker for female talent in these parts. She is both tender and hard and it explodes into light on
this album. Prepare to be amazed, this is not what you think it is.
Listen!