"Aural Landscapes" by Karine Chapdelaine & the Sketches

a Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

I've said this before in reference to jazz, but I'd be deluded if I thought you all read all my reviews so I'll say it again: I am not very well versed in jazz music. It's not that I don't like it. It's just never really been something I've been exposed to often enough.

I do like it, but it's not something I'd listen to on a regular basis, in general. However, I find that since first playing this record, I'm amazed at how many times I pop it in when I just want something nice filling my ears and brain.

The press release regarding this CD says it includes "exclusively original music, based on folk French melodies." I definitely hear a "Frere Jaques" in there on "Embracing Life".

I also have always liked the song "Au Claire de la Lune". It was one of the first songs I learned on the piano as a kid. I'm not familiar with the other French tunes that led to these songs but they're all lovely.

I played this record for a friend and he said that track two sounded like a bunch of instruments falling down the stairs. It is a bit scattered but it's pretty cool. It has almost a spooky feeling. But that drum does make one think of something tumbling.

For not being a true jazz fan, I am pleased how much I like this record. It is instrumental which is another reason I'm surprised I like it so much. For what this is, this is an excellent record.

Posted on April 6, 2006