Niko "Life on Earth"

Japanese/Spanish vocalist chanteuse Nicole Vergel De Dios. Must check her new album.

Not sure who Niko is? Fair enough. But even if you've got a vague interest in the output of Manchester based Grand Central Records, you'll have heard her voice. Whether it's through Aim, Mark Rae, Only Child and/or Riton, the chances are that Niko's been on your CD player at some point in the last few years. She even featured on Mr. Scruff's last album, Trouser Jazz. Actually hailing from Seattle rather than northern England, and born to Japanese and Spanish parentage, Life on Earth is her debut solo album. And, as the preview singles hinted at, it's turned out to be a damn fine record. If Kate Rogers is the sultry ballad princess of the label, Niko is their smouldering queen of downright funk.