Joya is a nice band from Caerphilly, a very pleasing five-piece in fact, who release their debut EP this month at the start of what promises to be a good year for them. Joya boast: "Piano led grandeur, lo-fi acoustic melancholy, electric guitars, honesty, intimacy, and real songs." On the You And Me EP, due for release on RedBetty (OK) Records, they drift into sound like so many Californian hippies. But after aping their ageing American counterparts, Joya do manage to establish a sound of their own and one that is characteristically Welsh. The title track might as well be a number by a band like Spirit (Randy California's old band).

With The Distance, however, they thrust themselves forward as pretenders to the sleepy Welsh rock crown.

The song echoes the likes of Gorky's Zygotic Mynci with its clipped structure and rural aesthetics.

Then on Do Something Good they add that very special touch - a saxophone solo - and it's no Cagney and Lacey blast.

It's very mellow, like the sax on Taxi Driver, and even with a hint of the master himself, John Coltrane.

Joya have already featured on one CD - the Music Week 'Welsh Talent CD'.

After that exposure the band signed a management deal and started a relationship with RedBetty Records.

Radio One (Welsh version) have been raving about them indulging in their "classic chord progressions, gently-stroked ivories and lazy brass".

According to the band's website, they met at a party held at the house of Swansea bubblegum-pop sensation Helen Love.

They are Ed Davies (vocals and acoustic guitar), Julie Powell (electric and classical guitar), Chris Brown (piano, organ and backing vocals), Mike Bailey (bass), and Rich Ashcroft (drums).

You'll also find drums courtesy of Rich Ashton and Jack Egglestone (also of McClusky), trumpet courtesy of Eurig Morgan.

* For more info surf to www.joyamusic.co.uk.