Tracey Moore and the Spanish-born, LA-raised Mercedes Martinez have put together a mellifluous album of jazzy soul whose heartbeat barely paces above a soft, mulling pulse. This is predominately a melancholy, bluesy work, evidenced by titles such as "The Wound", "How Sad", "The Lie" and "Let It Go", reflecting on the woe of women at the hands of cold men and a colder world. Anyone who heard the excellent Les Nubians will recognise the rootsy vibe here.

The two American singers are backed up by Philadelphian rappers and producers The Roots, who donate their delicate, live ethic that has recently provided the backbone to D'Angelo's Voodoo, Common's Like Water For Chocolate and other modern classics. While The Once And Future operates at a slower tempo than those other works it's no less seductive or inspirational. In fact it's a quiet storm. --Jake Barnes