Halo James

Like fellow one hit wonders, Breathe, Halo James hit fame at a time when record companies were looking for more bands like Wet Wet Wet. Their soulful pop was in contrast to the dance-pop that dominated the late 80s, and owed a lot to the smooth sound of Spandau Ballet. This 19 track Special Edition of their one album Witness contains all you'll ever need to hear. All of the tracks come from a two or three year period, as Halo James' career was short, because those music suits moved on quickly, going mad instead for dance and acid.

Surprisingly, considering some of the terrible production qualities of the decade, Witness has stood the test of time pretty well. Their big hit Could've Told You So sounds as good as it did 25 years ago, and is included here twice, with an extended mix one of the eight extra tracks from the original release. Is This The Way Love's Meant To Be? is full on Tony Hadley pop-crooning from Christian James who was selected as singer after extensive auditions, and his voice is impressive throughout.

The band's name comes from James' first encounter with keyboardist Neil Palmer, who was wearing a teeshirt with the cartoon strip The Ballad of Halo Jones. A little reworking of the name followed, before they released their first single in 1989. Throughout there is plenty of saxophone, just recently made fashionable again by Noel Gallagher, and slightly thin drum sounds. However the song writing is solid and there is much more here to enjoy than might be expected. Witness and Only End In Tears are particular highlights.

It is perhaps not surprising that the songs are well crafted, with founder member Ray St. John having previously worked with Sade on the smash Smooth Operator. He later worked with artists as diverse as Snoop Dogg and Gabrielle. As for Halo James, their place is forever in those 80s one hit wonder quizzes and pop compilations. This is a lovingly put together reminder that had the timing been different, it might have been very different.