Martina's album is a pool of atmospheres and styles. In the first track, you'll find yourself in the 30's, with an old-fashioned recorded solo voice, accompanied by a gospel singing and tambourines. Then, abruptly, the atmosphere is "disturbed" by a rock song, which is very energetic and direct. Although the mix is completely filled with a wall of instruments, Martina with her rich timbre in her distinctive voice, sometimes make you think of a young girl, is given her own position in the mix, which creates a nice contrast. Then, it is like a symphonic Pink Floyd starting. The electronic additions are atmospheric, are part of the music, and don't play a dominant role. Track 4 (Soul Food), again brings you in another mood, with a piano that makes you think of the French duo called Air. Nevertheless Martina's "black voice" adds a raw touch to the music, which gives the music a unique own character, and makes you wander from voice to instruments back and forth, Very nice!

And the show continues in the remaining tracks! Experimental moods (tracks 5, 12, 13) intersect punk (track 6, 10) trip-hop (track 7, 8, 11) and ballads (track 9). Though it consists of many known ingredients, the combination is all so original, fresh and atmospheric, wow! Most of the atmosphere is introvert, but it doesn't affect the expressive performance. Most of the tracks are certainly no background music!

Personally "Sandpaper kisses" gives me a "desert island feeling". It combines an ethereal voice, electronic percussion, acoustic guitar and a processed acoustic guitar in a very melodramatic mood. Subsequently deep bass is added, and the mood slowly changes to something more dramatic, and more electronic, contrasted by electronic violins. How can you resist all these contrasts and mood swings entering your headspace?

Sound quality is a bit so so (lots of low-mids, resonating, squeezed treble), it lacks transparency. A pity, because the music would be very suitable for a more open mix, with more spatial information added, and the dynamics of the instruments preserved.

Though the album is from 2003, I discovered it in 2005 for the first time (thanks Jean!), and for me this is one of my highlights in popular electronic oriented music of last year. You can have a look at Martina's website, where she is active in her own forum. A new album seems to be in the process, and I can hardly wait! Highly recommended!