Karen O

Three years after the release of her successful Essentials II, Jazz diva Karen Souza is back with her fourth studio album. Velvet Vault is the title of a collection that combine jazz standards with jazz reworks of pop classics plus two songs co-written by Karen herself. Japan's superstar Toku duets with Karen on the track You Got That Something. Also part of the album are Robin Banerjee (Amy Winehouse guitarist) and legendary Tom 'Bones' Malone (Blues Brothers, Saturday Night Live Band). Vocals has been recorded in New York at The Orchard studios and produced by Richard Gottehrer (of Blondie, Richard Hell and Dr. Feelgood fame). The album's first single Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, will be available on November 10th. Velvet Vault is without a doubt, Karen Souza's most accomplished record to date and will definitely surpass the success of her previous efforts.

Karen Geoghegan, runner-up in the BBC’s Classical Star programme is on a mission to promote the bassoon repertoire. This, her debut CD, is an ideal starting point. From the opening bars, the quality of the recording is self-evident, with a well balanced and excellently produced orchestral sound. By the time the bassoon enters, one is already immersed in quality, and it is easy to question whether a young performer such as Geoghegan can match those standards. Not only does she match them, she surpasses them. Her sound quality is extraordinary, proving her argument that the bassoon is deeply expressive, worthy of being taken seriously as a solo instrument.

Japanese Edition with Bonus track.
Poised to be recognized as one of the great new voices of jazz today, Karen Souzas sensuous voice floats between clouds of strings and winds and creates an atmosphere that can only be described as vintage.
Full of wonderful songs, this album surprises us with wonderfully produced tracks, which reveals a thorough treatment for each song. Accompanied by her musicians, she displays her unique voice and performing style. After the success of Essentials, her remarkable debut album, Karen decided to go for everything. She paired with record producer Joel MacNeely. Famous for his job with immortal artists such as Peggy Lee, Tony Bennett, Al Green and Jaco Pastorious. His talent defined Hotel Souza and provided it with brilliant arrangements rarely seen nowadays…

Karen Carroll has plenty of opportunity to strut her stuff on her debut, Had My Fun. Unlike many contemporary blues albums, which are highly polished blasts of blues-rock, Had My Fun takes its time. Many of the songs are torchy slow blues or down and dirty Chicago blues – either way, they sound natural, never forced. That's appropriate, since Carroll sings like a natural, caressing the ballads and growling the nastier numbers. Best of all, there's actual grit in the production – four of the songs were recorded live – and that allows Carroll to achieve her full potential on this impressive debut.