b. England. Russo’s career was launched in 2002 amid record company hype claiming her to be the UK’s answer to contemporary US R&B stars such as Alicia Keys and Sunshine Anderson. The daughter of 60s singer and comedian Jerry Stevens, Russo was exposed at an early age to soul and funk legends performing on her father’s television show. She learned to play several instruments while at school and became proficient enough at Latin dancing to qualify as a salsa teacher. Russo made her first foray into music in collaborated with producer Eg White, who had formerly recorded with indie rock duo Eg And Alice. The duo worked with artists including Rae And Christian and the Ignorants, while fitting in sessions for Russo’s debut album, Through My Eyes. The album was recorded in England and America, and released by Telstar Records in July 2002. Russo’s soulful vocals carried tracks such as ‘You Might Be Wrong’ and ‘Don’t Wanna Let You Go’, but the album as a whole failed to offer anything new to the urban blueprint of Russo’s more talented American rivals.