English Album Reviews - September 7, 2006

Putumayo Presents Paris
Various Aristes
We're always excited when we get an album that's just so different from everything else right now that it can't help but stand out. Paris is one of them.

The album highlights artistes from the nouvelle scene and features modern takes on classic French chanson. From the bossa nova of Coralie Clement's Samba de Mon Coeur Qui Bat (Samba of my Beating Heart), to the upbeat melody of Thomas Fersen's Le Cafe De La Paix (Cafe of Peace), every track featured here is a delight.

Listen out for the gypsy jazz feel of Dites Tu Moi (Tell Me) and the folk-inspired Quelqu'un M'a Dit (Someone Told Me) by Cara Bruni. Could it be that a revival of the French chanson scene is the next big thing in music?

Unappreciated
Cherish
Along the lines of what Destiny's Child used to sound like, comes Cherish, an all-girl R&B group whose first single Do It To It (Sean Paul of YoungBloodZ ) is already a big hit.
The other songs on the album should be anything but unappreciated, if R&B mixed with pop and hip-hop is your thing. The rest of the album features plenty of potential hits with great harmonies, vocals and upbeat melodies.

The Hidden Message
Da Vinci Vox
Hot on the heels of the controversial Da Vinci Code comes this album, complete with Gregorian chants, mysterious music and spoken lyrics, which, thankfully, are in English.
If you're an Enigma fan, give The Hidden message a shot. The music is very similar - to the point of being inspired - and the vibe mellow and chill-out. This is the best kind of music for those quiet evenings spent zoning out at home.

Beautiful Awakening
Stacie Orrico
If you're a Stacie Orrico fan, your three-year wait is finally over. The teenager's new album, Beautiful Awakening, is a heartfelt tale of her life. It includes songs about love, heartbreak, coming of age, growing pains and the joy of life. And while most of the tracks have a strong R&B vibe to them, there are enough guitar-driven moments to lure rock fans too. Listen out for Easy To Luv You, a soulful ballad with emotive music and honest lyrics.