Back in the early ‘70s there was a great band from the U.K. called Hatfield & The North, who had some great singers including Barbara Gaskin, who went on to marry the band’s leader / keyboardist Dave Stewart. That same ethereal vocal vibe is in vogue in 2007 on Blue Note’s Metro Blue CD release from The Bird And The Bee. Featuring the multi-tracked vocals and songs of Inara George—daughter of Little Feat’s leader, the late great Lowell George—the band’s instrumental backdrop is executed by multi-tasker Greg Kurstin. With his crafty studio sounds entirely backing up Ms. George’s outstanding bossa nova vocals, Kurstin fulfills his mission of crafting a soundstage that follows in the giant footsteps of producers such as Brian Wilson and even ‘90s era pop favorites such as High Llamas and The Wondermints. Not bad at all for a first CD. www.thebirdandthebee.com

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