Sheila Chandra * ~ =)

The Zen Kiss

(Virgin/REAL WORLD)

I think this is probably the most interesting music which I have ever heard. It is a mix of styles- - namely Islamic, Andalusian, Bulgarian and Celtic. You can- not help but get lost in the mu- sic. Most of the songs are per- formed acapella by Chandra herself, and even when instru- ments are added, they are so subtle I hardly noticed them.

Chandra is definitely

making a statement toand about women on this album. The first song is inspirational. ‘‘La Sagesse (Women I’m Calling You)”’ is a song for women in which Chandra states ‘‘...Our wisdom cannot be lost and our spirits cannot be broken.’’ Once again, Real World Productions has been able to find another fine representative of beautiful music from around the world. (S)

-- Grace Kimpinski

The Chris Duart® Texas Sugar!

Group Strat Magik

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(Island)

Listening to this recording I was transported back to the summer and the warm evenings I spent sitting in my room peering out at the world while listening to my newest favourite CD, Everybody Else Is Doing It, Why Can't We. 1 loved that album, but I love this recording even more.

The reason I like this re- cording better is that the group doesn’t try to hide their roots at all. The lead singer, Delores O’Riordan, sings with an unmis- takeable Irish accent that can be both sweet and raucous. The lyr- ics on this album are also very personal. My favourite is the first song, ‘“‘Ode To My Family’’.

One of the measures I use — to judge how much IlikeaCDis , how long it survives in my car stereo test. If 1 am able to listen to the album for more than a week without getting sick of it, it is excellent. This recording hasn’t left my car since I received it almost four weeks ago.

(S) -- Steve Ellis