Karma-Ann Swanepoel's debut solo album arrives on a wave of expectation following the success of the previous Henry Ate album, 'Slap In The Face'. As songwriter and vocalist for Henry Ate, Karma fulfilled her early promise as an SA artist of great potential. The band split up however and the newly formed Primedia Music decided to surround Karma with a new band. They retained Henry Ate veteran Julian Sun on backing vocals and guitar and added ex-Bright Blue and Mango Groove drummer Peter Cohen and Brendan ou Tim on bass. Max Mikula also contributed some subtle guitar textures and shadings to the album. Willem Moller and Marvin Moses were asked to help Karma with the production of 'One Day Soon' and the resulting album is sure to cement Karma' already glowing reputation.

Karma wrote all these songs and they all have a similar feel and tone with the intricate melodies and intelligent lyrics emerging after a few listens. As the first single, 'Dr Pepper' could have been replaced by at least six of these songs but does its job with a light, poppy performance. The title track opens the album with an assured and confident "cheers' to an ex-friend. 'Indian Giver' is a slow and emotional ballad and 'Delorise' Point' has a sassy Michelle Shocked-type, cynical vocal and skippy beat. ''Days Like These' is a gorgeous, accordion-backed song and 'Pachabal' is a simple melodic tribute to this classical composer focusing on the emotional undercurrent of unrequited love. This very ("Karma Chameleon") green cover adorned with simple close-up shots of Karma illustrates the understated intentions of this excellent album. Karma's songs are uniformly interesting and evocative and the backing and production is geared to emphasise the strength of her compositions. 'One Day Soon' will satisfy all those Henry Ate fans and bring many more new fans into Karma's orbit. This album is simply and succintly "Good Karma" and is really worth buying.

Stephen "Sugar" Segerman

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