The Portishead songstress strays from the flock.

Beth Gibbons is the woman behind Portishead’s heartfelt, crooning vocals. And before you ask – no they haven’t split, a new album is currently in development. Out Of Season is a one-off project with Rustin’ Man, aka Paul Webb from Talk Talk, a pre-Portishead friend. And it’s great.

Much more than Portishead without the beats, the album has a timeless feel. Think Carole King, Billy Holiday or Joni Mitchell. Typically it’s downbeat, but this time there’s hope and it’s certainly more optimistic than her previous projects. "I do like sad songs," Beth says. "I find it really hard to write a happy song without it sounding somehow melancholic.”

But the familiar smoky atmospherics are there, featuring Portishead’s Adrian Utley on guitar work which complements Beth’s distinctive, hauntingly honest vocal. It’s a gentle autumnal sounding album, gracefully produced, with themes of nature and isolation. Let’s hope it isn’t really a one-off. Matt Walton 24 October 02

Out of Season, released 28 October 02 on Go Beat! Records.

useful link: www.bethgibbons.com