It’s fair to say that Estelle’s career has exploded somewhat after being picked up by Atlantic following the acclaim that surrounded her self released debut album The 18th Day. Estelle picked up the MOBO for best newcomer way back in 2004, and four years on things are starting to look rosy for the Hammersmith born rapper, singer and producer. Set for further accolades this year having been nominated in no less than five MOBO categories, the credits on her second album Shine read like a who’s who of contemporary urban music and her collaboration with a certain Kanye West (you’ve heard of him right?) produced a UK chart topper that also went top ten Stateside.

Pretty Please, the fourth single to be taken from Shine sees the guest appearances continue, this time the it’s the turn of Gnarls Barkley’s soul filled mouthpiece Cee-Lo Green to lend a helping hand. The big man’s contributions however, might be hard for the casual listener to spot. I’d love to say that’s down to the similarities in the two vocals and that Estelle easily matches the vocal giant note for note. But if after a dozen or so listens you’ve still failed to distinguish to two voices, it’s probably more to do with the fact that Pretty Please isn’t a song you concentrate on as you listen. Oh no, you see, you’ll be too busy tapping your feet, wiggling those hips and grinning from ear-to-ear as the sun-drenched, Motown-style production and soul-lifting harmonies pluck you from this Autumn greyness and drop you off in an altogether Shine-ier place.

And what more can you ask from a record? Get out there and buy it.

Reviewed by Winston’s Zen for AltSounds