STEPHEN MAGUIRE

Hot Press Magazine - July 29, 2010

By Jackie Hayden, Writer / Director

IRISH SOUL (SML)
3 and a half STARS

The Belfast-born Maguire has wrought a fine collection of songs that sensitively blend pop, soul and sixties rock. The title track is propelled by a percussive groove, and Maguire’s boyband experience (with Unity supporting Westlife) leaks through the very Elton John-ish ‘Best I Can’ and the catchy ‘Do You See Me’. There’s kick-ass brass in the funky ‘True’ and ‘So Fired Up’, and ‘Leaving’ has an infectious Stonesy raunch.
KEY TRACK: IRISH SOUL

[As marketing manager with CBS Records (now Sony), Jackie Hayden signed U2 to their first record contract. He has also masterminded marketing campaigns for countless acts, from Abba, Christy Moore, REM and U2 to Madonna and Santana. His First Cuts column in Hot Press is a prime target for emergent acts from Ireland.]
 
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