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Carousel: Carousel

This is not the sort of recording you get to review very often. An exciting and unique blend of classical, folk-jazz and Celtic, under the light-hearted banner of 'sinister, gypsy fairground music'! Carousel is cellist Francesca Mountfort; violinist/guitarist/vocalist Susan Colien-Reid and the father and son team of Eli and Peter Mrkusich (mandolin/banjo and guitar respectively). The group's collective talent create an amazing array of sounds, textures, colours and emotions. Acoustic instruments always have a warmth and depth of tone that technological advances could never duplicate and this is where Carousel shine. Although Colien-Reid's vocals suffer from an overabundance of vibrato, the songs (all originals) are entrancing, even "otherworldly" (to quote Suraya Singh). The album was recorded last year by Neil Maddever at Sounds Unlimited in Wellington. He has done a wonderful job of capturing the nuances and timbres of these gorgeous instruments. Available from www. carousel.gen.nz

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