Search - Karen Ramirez :: Distant Dreams

Stunning debut - worth the import price

10/10/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I read a review of this CD in Q Magazine - the reviewer gave it 4 stars out of 5 and declared Ramirez a "Sade for the 90's". The album has a cover, "Looking for Love" by Everything But The Girl and shares some of EBTG's recent drums'n'bass type elements in her music. But mostly the CD is comprised of excellent pop-soul without all the horrible oversinging trappings of modern R&B singers.Ramirez's voice is clear and beautiful - the tracks, recorded in Naples, Italy, are gorgeous and spacious.What does it sound like? Combine Sade with modern-day Everything but the Girl, throw in some of the more quieter moments of Pet Shop Boys' 1996 album "Bilingual", add some pop-soul leanings, and this is the album. Each track is immediately likable and distinguished from one another. If I were at a US record label, I would be signing Karen Ramirez in a second and pushing this album hard. Nearly every track could be a major pop-soul hit single. I hope she gets the visibility in the US that this CD deserves. It's already becoming a hit in England and Europe. One listen and you'll know why..."