I was impressed by the information on Serah's backgrounds, an interesting biography that fills a full page with important references. One important influence came after having been in Kenya for a year. This influence can be noticed in some additional arrangements, in the list of some of the musicians. On one hand she's involved with commercially interesting charts hitting adult folk-pop, with an impressive list of top musicians (with history in mostly the top pop world, but also jazz, and other genres), helping her with it. Seeing this list it's no wonder this release has the best production a pop release can imagine. The CD cover does make it look a bit like a pagan-related singer-songwriter release but it isn't. The booklet is wonderful, the artwork fabulous and it looks like a treasure to keep. The music is much more headed for a large public. There's a talent to perform what easily commercially appeals in a singer-songwriter pop style. There are mature qualities that help her, like the travelling experiences showing in the writing, and a perfectionism to work songs out, and the fine contributing combinations with the African elements (reminiscent to Yousou N'Dour) that all make the music more original. The most individual and independent, and often more introspective songs I like most (, songs like "Sailing", "Joined at the Wing", and "Dolce",..). Also "Psalm song" based upon a Old Testament prayer, is an original and strong individual choice, worked out by a fine use of classical, African and fused pop arrangements. In some of the relaxed songs like "Pieces of Dreams" or "Crazy Love" I can imagine her admiring Van Morrison. There is a certain romantic and socially concerned flavour lying underneath as well. Several songs still have the fundaments of popular pop rhythms, in such way those songs could make it with popular radioshows, but not so much in a progressive music show like mine. And from a cover of a hits like "Stand by me", I can only imagine it's choice being chosen for a commercial and a personal reason, but not as a contribution in creativity seen from a musical level. A song chosen or sung for the reason or destiny to remember it nostalgically but not to hear from a deeper musical experience or level for me is an aspect in performing I see as passing moments of accidental needs of the mind. Serah has the direct approach to the public of a popular artist, and has enough background to give more than just a performance. Therefore the sum of her qualities will still enrich the listener by hearing a release like this...
