open horizon

Hey look! It's a review of my almost-released new record, thanks to the lovely Rachel Sanders at Exclaim.ca!

(More news--such as how to get a hold of this baby for yourself--to follow soon!)

Kaya Fraser
Open Horizon
By Rachel Sanders

With jazzy interludes and melt-in-her-mouth vocals, Kaya Fraser's first full-length release is a journey of considerable emotional range. Daughter to Canadian songwriter Allan Fraser (of '70s psych folk duo Fraser and DeBolt), the Victoria, BC-based musician has built upon the foundations she laid with her 2007 EP, the elegant Tremor and Slip. With Open Horizon, she offers a diverse collection of songs that explore passion of every variety, from the blissfully upbeat "Good To Be Home" to the achingly brief and emotionally wrenching "A Hundred Days." Other highlights include the banjo-licked "Made To Mend" and the brooding, Al Purdy-inspired "Cariboo Horses," which highlights Fraser's rich voice and her ability to create vivid moods within her songs. Produced by one-time Blue Rodeo guitarist Kim Deschamps (who also contributes pedal steel, dobro and banjo), the album flirts with soul and blues, jazz and country, but ultimately, hangs together as a beautifully cohesive and promising debut. (Independent)

Perhaps you've noticed that I posted a couple of new demo mixes up on MySpace. They are "Open Horizon" and "Cariboo Horses," the versions I recorded at the award-winning studio Willyboy Recordings in London, Ont. ... except now they have been overdubbed and tweaked a bit by my current producer, Kim Deschamps.

For those who don't know Kim, check out this tune, from one of the best albums of Canadiana music ever released, i.m.h.o., Five Days in July. It's called "Hasn't Hit Me Yet," and at about 3:10 or so one of the most beautiful pedal steel solos begins:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crfpN3n8lR0

I could sing you every note of that solo, I listened to it so often. That's Kim. And somehow, he's working with me now... So check out what he did with these two tunes. They're not the final product, but I think they're not too shabby, not too shabby at all.

http://www.myspace.com/kayafraser

I've decided that this album is getting made by the end of this year, come hell or highwater. So get ready.

Love,
Kaya