One of the great things about some modern pop musicians is theirability to draw from a wide variety of resources and references,carefully blending them together without becoming excessive. When donetastefully, a very interesting hybrid form of music that keeps with itsoriginal direction can be established to much delight. With Under A Different Sky,Chicago singer/songwriter Tania Bowers conveys her laid back popsensibilities approach with, at times, an electro-soul and jazz balladfeel for a rich forty minutes of listening pleasure. As a bass playerherself, Bowers has the fine drumming of John Herndon (Tortoise/A GrapeDope) fill out the rhythm section for the better part of the disc's tentracks while producer Casey Rice (Designer) augments with his signatureskills. Other notable guests include Doug McCombs, Noel Kupersmith,Howe Gelb and Scott Herren (Prefuse 73) providing their musicalsupport. Bowers' songwriting and soulful, sultry vocal style isperfectly suited throughout the varied musical scenes; the airy chordalprogressions of "I Dream Again," "Boltanski," and "Moonlight &Chaos," the dub-infused "In The Deep," and the country-tinged "True"are some of the highlights. The closest the disc gets to having an edgeis the distorted chugging riffage, guitar feedback and two-step beat of"The Rising," which at just over two minutes is all too brief. Foryears, Bowers has leant her vocals to recordings of various artists andprojects within the Chicago scene. Following Dream Of..., her debut EP as bandleader, Under A Different Sky should put her name on the musical map in good company. Read More
