Karima Francis // The Author

21 year old, Blackpool-born, Manchester-based Karima presents her debut album “The Author”.  Tarred with the usual brush of ‘singer/songwriter’, it is for once used in its true form; Karima has a striking voice and her music exudes the passion she has for what she does. A self proclaimed show-off she has said that she is amazed that this is her job. This gives her something to wake up for.  Practising Celine Dion songs as a child for her Mother, her Mother knew that great things were to come. An older and embarrassed Karima sought out the "Celine Tapes” and duly disposed of them – in a field! It wasn’t until moving to Manchester that she really started singing and her true talent was discovered two years ago at ‘The City’ music conference, where by accounts she silenced the 'Big Wigs’. This brings us to the present and her tour which she embarks on next month to showcase the album. Karima has a striking voice, she has soaring vocals and her music has a real sense of intimacy to it. Her lyrics have rawness to them and touch upon the hard upbringing she has experienced. As an artist she is believable.  She has a huge amount of potential and is a refreshing change from what her genre offers. Sadly this album hasn’t grabbed me.  It hasn’t captured my heart and there is nothing on it which makes me want to turn the volume up and let go. However that said, I think she will carve a well deserved niche for herself.