Broadway is Myron & E's first album working as a duo and they are that rather unusual thing - a singing duo. I struggle to come up with many others - Robson and Jerome perhaps? Rather than likening their new hopeful act to ITV's finest the press release helpfully point me to Sam and Dave, the Righteous Brothers and The Evelyn Brothers. This might be down to the slightly more authentic soul sound Myron & E produce here on their album. Or maybe they were worried about being compared to such stellar talent.
Either way it would appear that not being in a duo is where every other singer is going wrong, since based on that list they are all amazing. Robson is even great a fishing - a sport that I can't even envisage being remotely interesting without first jamming the hooks into my own flesh.
Broadway is an album with a bit of geography - Myron is from LA and E from New Jersey. Following an encounter whilst on tour that led to an impromptu jam session E met the band The Soul Investigators in Finland and the duo released a few EPs in collaboration with the band through the label Timmion. On this long player, for Stones Throw, Myron and E worked from the west coast of America writing lyrics and recording vocals whilst the band provided demos from overseas.
Despite the distance involved in its creation Broadway is rather straight - a low slung and gently swaying kind of American soul album that eschews modern polish or international influence. Most tracks here are an honest blend of guitar, mid-pace drumming and a bit of brass. There's a significant draw on the past - E sent the band YouTube videos of classic tracks for inspiration, and it comes through in their output. The backing to 'Everyday Love' draws directly on Edwin Starr's 'Running Back And Forth', but the bluesy vocal choruses of the newer track present a more muted and downtrodden series of emotions.
Broadway is at its best when it is a little more insistent. 'I Can't Let You Get Away' is determined, the band seemingly opening up as Myron & E put their vocals to use describing their inevitable heartbreak. Conversely you get the feeling Myron & E are most at home a little more laid back - most of the material is bluesy and easy riding. It's a fine way to unwind for 45-minutes, but it doesn't deliver quite the punch you feel like they may have in them if they were to bellow a little more. It's soul then, but it needs a little more of it.
Broadway is released on Stones Throw on 1 July, available for pre-order from Amazon.co.uk on CD [affiliate link]. Listen to 'If I Can't Give You My Love' below:
