Norine Braun

This CD was a real surprise. Norine’s voice is low and sexy in the best Dusty Springfiled tradition. This is most interesting and eclectic release I have heard in a long time. It really is fairly schizophrenic like Tood Rundgren and some other artists from the deep, dark past. There’s funky tracks, new wavish ditties, jazzy sweetness, mixed up mashes and things I don’t think there is a name for yet.

Be Brave (Do it Right Blaxcot Remix)
The CD opens up with a sweet down tempo track apparently remixed by Blaxcot. Norine’s voice is haunting and floats over the lazy, funky mix. it almost reminds me of Massive Attack.

Stone and Feather

…and now for something completely different. What a cool song. This song almost reminds me of that new wave band Romeo Void. Norine’s voice sounds like she would kick your ass and then it’s a duet between her sweet girly voice and the bad asswomen. Mighty schizophrenic Norine

Crystallize

Here’s that jazzy Dusty sound I was talking about. Norine really has a stylistic range that is stunning. She croons like K.D. Lang’s lost sister. She has a killer band backiing her up too.

Conformity 451

I don’t know what to say about this song. It is just fucking cool. It is in a class all by itself. Sinister synths and evil Norine meets swoopy jazz girl Norine. Trippy as hell. You can never get enough Shaft wah wah guitar for sure.

Rock and a Hard Place

I can really dig this acid jazz, down tempo Sade style track. My dog gives it 9.5 bones for dance-alibity. I was swaying in my chair. This is such a sexy, groovy track. I think this track gets my vote for the best track to license to a film or the next Chanel campaign with Nicole Kidman.Tinkling piano, deep synth bass, stick on the snare jazz drum groove. Perfect.

Q (Evolution of the Blood Star)

Wow. This track seems to sum up Norine’s whole life philosophy. Slapping bass anchors the track which has so many sonic goodies. I will singing the chorus on this in my sleep. Um… what is the Blood Star anyway and can you see it with the naked eye. I think she has been hanging out with Sun Ra’s ghost. Ok, I am going to dance now. By far the coolest track I have heard all week.

Skylight

Just when I thought I had heard everything this girl can dish out, she comes in with this Etta James channeling piano ballad. The vocals are beautiful, imperfect, heart rending and bring a lump to your throat and tear to your eye.
A stand out track.

Alberta

Norine is from Canada and she is doing a strange country sounding singing and yodeling ode to her hometown I think. This is a country song made by and for aliens. Strange but cool as hell.

Doesn’t Matter Anyway

Roxy Music meets Annie Lennox or something like that. This is a great track, but not my fav.

In Space

A love boat groove ready for vacation complete with wah wah guitar, horns and Barry Manilow piano but wait… here’s a Sergaent Pepper psychadelic tripped out vocal part and then a over the top blues guitar jam and eventually weare back to the love boat. I guess this is what it’s like to be in space if you are Norine Braun. Wonderfully wacky.

Lonesome Side of Truth

Another very strange but engaging song. Norine is taking us on a trip inside her wonderfully twisted and interesting mind. It is so great that record labels don’t control things any more. Norine would have never seen the light of day if that were still true and that would have been sad.

IF I Could Be The One

Norine’s back to being that vulnerable, sweet girl breaking your heart. A wash of synths. oboe and voice fill this song. A simple but powerful track.

Be Brave(dub-triphop remix)

I love this track. The spooky Manchester wash of fender rhodes, swirling voice, deep bass and stone solid grooving drum kit propells this track. My choice for best chill out mix for the month.

I am terribly impressed with what Norine can with voice and with how cool she writes. The production and playing on this CD was killer. I want to hear more and I want to see Norine live. My dog gives it it four paws up.

Buy this!

Keith Kehrer

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