Search - Kirsty Hawkshaw :: On Ultimate Things

Released on her official web site

Sakis | San Diego, originally Greece | 02/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just a short note to those desperately trying to find this CD, you should check out Kirsty Hawkshaw's official site to get your copies in a just re-released limited edition of this CD (without artwork included) on sale dirrectly from her web site.



Soon you can also print a brand new cover of it (if you search fan sites online you will find the new artwork i am sure available only online).



Kirsty is busy working on new tracks and a compilation album, but this is a gem of an album to behold (I have done a review of the hard to find nowadays Japanese version), so i will just re-type what i wrote there in the year 2000 when i purchased it with a few additions:



Kirsty Hawkshaw is the voice behind the band Opus III, a band that became extremely popular in Europe in 1992 with their hit "It's a Fine Day" and later on in 1994 with their songs "When You Made The Mountain", "Dreaming Of Now" and "Hand In Hand". Well this album isn't in the style of Opus III, musically, so you won't find any club anthems here, just the pure crystal clear voice of Kirsty, in some very emotional, esoteric, melancholy, thoughtful songs.

Kirsty's voice is quite unique, one could compare her to many well known singers such as Sinead O'Connor (on "Chapter 8"), Bjork (on "Cyclone"), Dido or Portishead. The CD is jazzy at times (especially on the lovely track called "one moment"), and at times very mellow with beautiful etherial piano compositions.



She is definitely an artist that deserves more fame and recognition. I must say I find the songs "Mercury" and "Dissafected" heartbreaking and very emotional. This album is full of feeling, experimentation, and overall a good listen for all fans of modern music.



I loved her in Opus III ever since I lived in Greece (and they were quite popular) and I love her now solo, hopefully we'll hear more from her in the future, in any form of music, electronica or pop. Her techno/electronic/dance collaborations with BT, Delerium, Slovo, Way Out West, Silent Poets, Ian Pooley, and of course DJ Tiesto are also noteworthy, but if you'd like a more mellow listen I strongly suggest this album.

It stands the test of time in my music collection."