Signs is the new album by singer and guitarist Kaz Simmons. Having traditionally sat in the foggy no man’s land between folk and jazz, the London-based songwriter’s fourth album sees her veer off into totally uncharted territory, incorporating influences as diverse as psychedelic rock and musical theatre. The result is her bravest and most arresting work to date; an album that is loose-fitting yet coherent, and a sound that is entirely unique yet absorbing and highly listenable. If you’ve ever wondered about the missing link between Pink Floyd and Rogers and Hammerstein, this could well be it.

“I've had a real 1970s obsession over the last few years and I think it's reflected in the album,” explains Kaz. “It's still very me, but quite a dramatic new direction, and I hope a more grown-up sound. It's actually hard to work out what genre it is. You can still hear my jazz roots, but there are psychedelic parts now – early Genesis and Pink Floyd influences. And using my friend Martin Kolarides on electric guitar has brought a whole new dimension to the sound.”

Kaz’s style has matured over nearly 10 years as a professional musician. But her love of music began much earlier – raised in Hove, she made her live singing debut at the Brighton Dome when she was just four years old. After graduating from Goldsmiths University with a degree in music, she immersed herself in London’s underground jazz scene, becoming a friend and collaborator of Jamie Cullum. Since then she has worked with jazz-rock flautist and saxophonist Lyn Dobson (Manfred Man, Nick Drake, Dusty Springfield) and revered Brazilian artist Ife Tolentino. And she has performed on some of the country’s most prestigious stages, including Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Jazz Club, Vortex in Dalston, the National Theatre, Wilton’s Music Hall and the Leicester Square Theatre. She has also performed at the London Jazz Festival and the Dubai International Jazz Festival.