You know how a scent can carry you away and transport you to a hidden corner of your mind? Australian musician Tash Sultana begins Terra Firma with a song named after a scent, and indeed the dreamy "Musk," an instrumental cut, offers similar transportation. A jazzy groove with a little bit of horns and a dab of hip-hop, "Musk" is the perfect opener for this soulful and sublime outing. A one-woman-band of sorts, Sultana wrote and performed almost everything on Terra Firma (produced and engineered it too) and while the musicianship here is fine, it is her voice that carries the day. "Pretty Lady" is a pop cut where Tash's vocals sound influenced by Michael Jackson; she approaches Kate Bush territory on "Dream My Life Away" where she shares her vocal spotlight with guest singer Josh Cashman. Delicate and understated piano provides the melody on "Maybe You've Changed" and Sultana's vocals on the song are equally delicate, although she beefs them up considerably, creating a lovely effect by harmonizing with herself. Breathy vocals are accompanied by acoustic guitar at the onset of "Coma" and other instruments join in tentatively as the cut progresses, getting more aggressive as song's end nears. If you want to imagine what music might go through the mind of a person in a coma, this could be it. Each of these songs are little gems, as are all the other cuts on Terra Firma. Whether she's waxing mystical or being more forthcoming, Sultana's art here is striking.
Rating:
Share this article
Live: Maria Muldaur Brings Way Past Midnight Tour To Phoenix
Hot In The City: Halloween Fun in Phoenix
Sites and Sounds: Unity, Peace & Freedom Music Festival
Halloween Special: Put These Halloween Goodies in Your Trick-or-Treat Bag
Reggae Party: Bob Marley- Stephen Marley- Seagram's Escapes Jamaican Me Happiness Collection
Queen Share The Greatest Special: 'The Story Of Queen I' (Part One)
Iron Maiden Pay Tribute To Paul Di'Anno
New Order and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Lead Cruel World Lineup
Iron Maiden Legend Paul Di'Anno Dead At 66
Jeff Lynne's ELO Announce Final Concert
Jake E. Lee Details Confrontation That Led To Being Shot
Supertramp In The Studio For 'Crime Of The Century' 50th Anniversary