Former vocalist with The Spice Girls, Emma Louise Bunton almost comes close to her debut ‘A Girl like Me’and in this album includes R & B, a lot of guitar work and swinging moments. Her new offering has a lot of attitude phrasing, spoken asides, and sly syncopation, which comes as a follow-up rather than a knockoff from her earlier work.

There are twelve tunes with the worthwhile mentions being the catchy title song Free Me, the peppy infectious Maybe a sure winner. Her message in the song I’ll be there is positive, with the lyrics equaling those of Mariah Carey’s similar titled song. The fast side continues with Emma crooning well on Tomorrow and the swinging Latino Brazilian classic Crickets sing for Anamaria which was a hit in the late 60s for Bosa Nova king Marcos Valle, done well here, which is rolling and rocking and will have you swinging to its rhythm.

There’s also the sentimental side touched with a little of pep, in the beautiful duet  Amazing, good guitars on You are and the really slow and captivating Something beautiful. The only flop in the album is the sticky Breathing, No sign of life and Who the hell are you’ that has weary moans and slurs, a la Madonna style.

The other wise talented singer also excels on Lay your love on me that has a spooky effect and displays Emma’s strong voice, which she has put to good use.

This is typical mishmash from Emma. It borders on the sentimental and the groovy. The album shoots through the sound and spirit of the 1960s to the 21^st century. Truly Emma has made a record that defines her true personality – warm passionate and playful. She has Cathy Denis, Mike Pedan, Ray Hedges and Henry Cinns who give a helping hand on the album. Except for the good numbers, the much publicized Emma aka Baby Spice, proves to be a slight disappointment when you actually get down to listening to the whole album for the first time. But then looking at the overall success and with a repeat listening, one can easily say that Emma is in control.

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira