Anja Garbarek
Briefly shaking
EMI
As an unabashed fan of Norwegian singer/songwriter Anja Garbarek, I was stunned to hear the news that she'd completed a new album. Anja is not the most prolific lass in the Nordic universe: "Briefly shaking" is only her fourth disc in 13 years, and the first since 2001's superb "Smiling and waving". But lordy, this gal makes the wait worthwhile by consistently releasing stunning records. Music that's both ecstatically passionate and wonderfully weird always wins me over, and Anja is a sorceress in that regard. The eleven tracks here range from Broadway-style theatricality to elegant pop classicism to moments of sublime sensuality, especially when Anja just melts you with one of those beautiful melodies she has such a flair for. If fans of sublime modern pop can't find you after this classic record, then they're sure as hell not looking in the right place.
- Kevin Renick