JAMES Vincent McMorrow’s haunting cover of Steve Winwood’s Higher Love in a TV commercial has prompted the re-release of the last February’s album.

Higher Love and a timely cover of Chris Isaac’s Wicked Game feature on the album’s bonus CD and will be the primary reason for many to invest. However, the mother album is quite a discovery. McMorrow’s breathy falsetto voice may remind some of Brian Kennedy or Colin Blunstone, and his narrative stories have an ethereal feel reminiscent of the late Clifford T Ward.

Despite the obvious influences, JV McMorrow has a rather melancholy sound, which lends itself perfectly to key moments in a film soundtrack. Hence, perhaps the television sponsorship of his breakthrough hit. Perhaps the fey wistfulness of Early In The Morning is too one-dimensional for prolonged engagement, but in small doses it is an absolute delight.