For her stage name, Astrid Sars has dispensed with her surname; perhaps not the best decision given that there are numerous other artists called Astrid from England, Scotland, Denmark, Japan, Belgium, Indonesia.
She is from the Netherlands, the daughter of conductor Wim Sars and mother to Tim and Nathan who both play in her backing band: on baritone sax and trumpet respectively). Other musicians are from Vancouver.
Astrid grew up listening to classical music and jazz and this six-track is described as a cross between Bebel Gilberto and Sade although her voice never matches the sultry seductiveness of these two singers.
The record begins and ends with a free interpretation of Ave Maria; an ambient swirl with indistinct spoken word samples which has a nice experimental feel.
Disappointingly, the rest of the songs are played very straight with smooth samba-esque rhythms suited more for the chill out lounge than the dance floor.
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This Silent Heart has a leisurely, extended intro on piano and tablas and lyrics about a "crazy" ,and perhaps clandestine, love ("we both know it's wrong).
Tim's Song is presumably dedicated to her son, while both Full Circle and Full Life are hymns to optimism.
Astrid is, it seems, in a good place right now, and the record reflects her joyful spirit but, with no pretensions to be anything other than sophisticated easy listening, it's also a little dull.
Astrid's website
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