Andrea Klas: Orion

It was a delightful surprise to overhear some excellent music emanating from the next room while at Cherry Beach rehearsal studios. I listened for a while, pleased to wait for the room's occupants to emerge. Eventually, we were acquainted with Andrea Klas and her company. We learned that they arrived from Vancouver to perform that very night for the Canadian Music Week event.

Andrea's debut recording, "Orion" is replete with soaring melodies over a mix of natural and synthetic accompaniment. Adam Popowitz, (guitar, keys & drum programming) provides the perfect complement in his performance on this album. This music would suit popular radio as well as it would cross over quite handsomely into the dance club. Sonic Garden's review correctly describes her voice as "angelic and ethereal," (www.sonicgarden.com). But more than that, vocally, she manages to communicate hope in even the darker, more sober selections. Musically, there is a clear representation of emotional degrees; present, is a gloomy set of songs that are thoughtful and lovely while the more cheerful variety just sound wonderfully free. This is a CD you'd want for those long trips; excellent driving music!

If you won't take my word, check it out for yourself on her website - or better yet, buy this record. I can foresee a broad range of people's personal tastes being equally satisfied by what they hear.

Peter Dounetas

Alex Murdoch: Polyphonic

Alex Murdoch, from Edmonton, Alberta, has an easy-to-listen-to pop style. "Polyphonic" presents Murdoch's material in a highly produced format. I went to see Alex at CMW and his set featured a more organic sound. It might have been nice if some of the songs on the CD were presented in this manner because I liked the way Murdoch plays the acoustic guitar. It kind of reminds me of Crowded House.

You can easily listen to this CD in random rotation with your other faves. Notably, my favorite picks off this CD include @Vancouver, because I love Canadiana references in music, and City's on Fire. I also liked Murdoch's packaging. Polyphonic sports a red "View Master" on the cover with art design on the CD itself looking like one of the little round picture discs that so many of us "born in the 70s" types remember fondly from our childhood.

For more information about Alex Murdoch and Polyphonic, visit www.amurdoch.com.

Amanda Harris

Rhonda Stakich: There Were Years

Immediately upon seeing Ronda Stakich playing an open stage last month, I wanted to know where she was performing next, I wanted to buy her record and I wanted to broadcast the following message: "no matter where or when this woman is playing, go see her!" GO NOW!

It's a great pleasure to offer this review of Rhonda's CD, "There Were Years". Hastily categorizing Rhonda's music would be difficult, and perhaps unfair - so I won't. Nyah! Although this recording only contains nine songs, she has successfully managed to share with us the vast array of her musical interests. We find some groovy numbers like the triple-metre "Treasury Of Memories" and "Don't Know Right From Wrong" which is marvelously murky and moody. There are a couple of folksy ballads; the country-ish "Sailin" and the bluesy "There Were Years". The driving, up-tempo tunes are the wistful "Built This House" and the fun, country frolic, "Rollin." We even hear some reggae on "Sweet Little Angel" along with a quasi-rumba, "APB". There's even this tune that makes me smile every time I hear it… my personal favourite, "Turtle Dove". Sit back, listen and love.

As extensive as Rhonda's musical tastes is her wide range of vocal expression. Ever sensitive to the style and manner of any given piece, she can produce from her repertoire of vocalisations the melodic acrobatics of scat singing to endearing, child-like stylings in addition to vivid interpretations of various emotions.

She's got great folks with her, too: Nathan Handy; guitars, Andrew Starling; bass and Jeff Lyons; drums. I can't begin to tell you how amazing this rhythm section is. I've seen them play. I'm glad to have done so. You'll hear it for yourself when you buy this CD. You'll see for yourself when you catch the next show.

You will buy this CD. You will go to her show. Go. Now.

Take a look at Rhonda's website… it's really neat… and it's got stuff: www.rhondastakich.com.

Peter Dounetas