Foreign Light

His name may be above the door but Tom Bell’s third record is primarily a work of collaboration and blistering creative generosity. R&B royalty Andrea Martin benefits most, guesting on eight tracks that run from bassy, hiccupping Stefflon Don hook-up “Beast” to soulful slow-build “Magnet”. But there are other showstopping cameos. CASisDEAD drips wry swag aboard the tricksy bleeps of “Won’t Admit It’s Love,” and Silkki Wonda shuts down the block-shaking dancehall of “Always”.

It’s hard to think of words more appropriate than “I’m made of steel” to be the very first line Andrea Martin sings on this album.