Sylvie-Mark Courvoisier Feldman Quartet - To Fly to Steal - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Since the of last year's to Fly to Steal (their debut on Intakt), the members of the Sylvie Courvoisier - Mark Feldman Quartet forged an even deeper chemistry on the bandstand through a series of European tours. The results of that heightened sensitivity now manifest on this superb second album showcasing an uncanny group-think among the four outstanding musicians. The flexibility and expressive range that violinist Feldman, pianist Courvoisier, bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Gerry Hemingway achieve together on Hotel Du Nord shows how much the quartet has grown in just over a year.

Tip-top of Castle Face's osmosis list is the first quiver of tunes from Brigid Dawson and her newly minted Mothers Network wise warnings dyed in dark hues, knotted and hard-won torch songs from the edge of a turbulent sea, bittersweet balladry spun in defense against evils familiar and unknown. Lovely though it may seem from a distance, the striation of loss quicksilvered throughout provides weighty balance to her contralto lilt. Those familiar with her harmonic counterpoint from her time in Thee Oh Sees or in OCS know she can belt as well as lullaby but there's a fresh and smolderingly heavy swing in her step on display here that Castle Face mightily digs. Ballet Of Apes tapestries together sessions that read like a who's who from outside the tag's castle walls-in Australia with Mikey Young (Total Control / Eddy Current Suppression Ring), in San Francisco with Mike Donovan (ex-Sic Alps), Shayde Sartin (ex-Fresh & Onlys / lifetime ringer) and Mike Shoun (ex-Oh Sees / Peacers), and in Brooklyn with instrumental heavy-weights Sunwatchers-and the results are spellbinding. At the focal point of this maelstrom, the lady, as if illumed by candlelight, intones, pleads, consoles-white magic perhaps, but it carries with it the anodized tang of blood.

Rainshadow (Larry Brown, Cherokee/Creek, and Dawn Brown, Cherokee/Norwegian) present Not Held Captive, their 2nd Inspirational CD. Several of the songs on this CD were inspired by dynamic life changes in the youth of many of the Southern California Tribes and the First Youth Nations movement. The Title Song, 'Not Held Captive ' is a very srong song declaring that no one has to be imprisoned or victimized by past experiences or actions. 'War Horses' is a new version of our previously recorded cut, recorded as a drum group on 'Out Of The Rainshadow' (2009).