Customer Reviews

FIVE

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
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I encountered this amazing artist and his music almost by accident. This is a wonderful 'taste' of a fabulous Swedish/New York singer-songwriter. Every song is both deep and lush, evoking emotion worthy of the best provocative jazz. I have downloaded the album to my ipod and my car and listen to it constantly, but it is best enjoyed, at home, with a glass of a good red. The only down-side is that it is too short! Only five songs. I can't wait for his full length "ROMANTIKA" to be released in January '09, and have already pre-ordered. I would also love to listen to him perform, in person.

One of my personal "tests," if you will, that helps guide me as to how good a song is, involves asking the question, "If I knew it were coming up next on the radio in the car, would I stay in the car at my destination just to hear it?" If the answer's "yes," then I deem the song a winner. New York-based Swedish singer/songwriter Anders Holst has five songs on this appropriately named E.P., FIVE, and I'd stick around to hear any one of them if I knew it was coming up. The first single from this disc is "Love Me like a River," which, like all the tracks, has a certain Bryan Ferry quality to the vocal and overall vibe, which I think works beautifully in the Smooth Jazz format. Production values are high on this project, and Anders' support players are first-rate. As a matter of fact, he uses Gerald Albright on sax and flute plus guitarist Paul Jackson, Jr. on "Until the End of Time, L.A. Mix," which adds an unmistakable Smooth Jazz feel to this one. So... combine warm, thoughtful, romantic, and, at times, bittersweet lyrics with melodies that will get inside your head and under your skin... add a smoky, intriguing voice, lush instrumentation, and sparkling production... and you've got a grand success! I thoroughly enjoy this collection of tunes on FIVE, and eagerly await much more from Anders Holst! ~Scott O'Brien

The songs are lush, deep, and provide a great atmosphere that expresses passion and tenderness. I find the video for "Love Me Like a River" mysterious and cool too...