Brian Kelly: London's First Lady of Soul is coming to NZ

London's First Lady of Soul, PP Arnold, is coming to New Zealand for the first time to play at Auckland's Power Station.

Her career spans over 50 years, beginning as a member of Ike & Tina Turner's Ikettes, who were the backing singers for Ike and Tina.

She was one of my favourite female singers of the late 60s and early 70s. Her story is a story of survival in showbiz, a case of never giving up

Back in 1967 as a 20-year-old singer, PP Arnold had just about everything a young recording artist could want.

She had a contract with the most exciting new record label, Immediate Records, a hit single flying up the charts and a group of friends that was like a who's who of the pop stars of the time, including Jimi Hendrix, Rod Stewart and Steve Marriot of the Small Faces.

Her first hit, The First Cut is the Deepest, was written by Cat Stevens and that was quickly followed by Angel of The Morning. Both songs charted well for the young American born singer.

But then disaster struck. Her record company went bankrupt, leaving her without a contract and broke.

To the rescue came a budding songwriter and wanna-be record producer named Barry Gibb.

For 12 months they worked together recording material for a new album. Eight of the 13 tracks on the album were produced by Barry Gibb.

Then Gibb left, only to be replaced by Eric Clapton, and they continued to work on the album with the help of Eric Clapton's touring band, Delaney and Bonnie.

Backing vocals on a couple of the tracks were added by Rita Coolidge and Doris Troy.

The album was completed, but for some strange reason it was never released and was left gathering dust.

According to PP Arnold it was "politics".

Fifty years on and the lost album has finally been released. In fact not one, but two albums.The second album is due out this year.

The first record, called The Turning Tide, brings together 13 tracks that she recorded between 1968 and 1970 with Gibb and Clapton. With the help of Steve Cradock who plays guitar for Paul Weller and the band Ocean Colour Scene, the original tapes were remixed and much to the delight of producer Charles Rees, the songs, recorded 50 years ago, sound like they were recorded yesterday.

Fifty years ago, the album would have been a big seller. Today it sounds even better and a must for any lover of soul music.