Carmel – The Drum Is Everything

If you have never heard of Carmel, and female vocals like Shirley Bassey, Billie Holliday and Della Reese are your thing, then you should investigate Carmel. The band is fronted by a beautiful blond lady that went from a modeling career to pop in no time. The group started as a jazz combo that did an astonishing array of music from bluesy swing to dub infused chants and even gospel, but all with a jazz flavor reminiscent to the style of Frank Sinatra or even the Peddlars. With the aid of several session musicians, they recorded this debut album on 24 track tape for major label London records in 1984. At a time when new wave was fighting back at punk, Carmel appeared with the refreshing jazz chic of their hit single ‘Bad Day’. It was classic and timeless then and the music has not dated at all today, and that is something that few albums from that era can lay claim to. They recorded another five albums, but nothing ever equaled the passion and successful experimentation of The Drum Is Everything.