Crissi Cochrane - Little Sway (2014)

Crissi Cochrane has come a long way from the folk infused plains of the Annapolis Valley, breaking into the blues/jazz genre with her latest album Little Sway, combining sultry, vibrant and soothing tones to create a sound reminiscent of Missy Higgins and Corinne Bailey Rae.

Her previous release, Pretty Alright EP (November 2011), reached #5 on the Earshot! National Folk Chart. This new, locally produced indie record is her first attempt at taking on elements of jazz and soul.

True to her romantic heart, Crissi left Halifax three and a half years ago to “pursue a relationship with a Windsor artist.” Since leaving Halifax as a folk/pop sweetheart in 2010, the now Windsor based artist believes she has found her soul, writing and living in the hot sun by the great American city of Detroit, which she calls the “shadow of Motown.”

The leap from Canadian Indie to American jazz and blues was ambitious, and left her album as a soft mix of a happiness Cochrane cannot hide combined with a desire to seduce her audience’s heartstrings into a martini sway while onlookers smile and munch on tapas. She has put a lot of heart into her music.

Cochrane’s vision is bright, but if she continues to delve into the path of blues she must dig into the deep pit of her soul to reach her richest potential. Her voice is well trained and appealing but lacks the texture of someone who has lived and gone through the hardship we feel when we listen to artists such as Amy Winehouse and Billie Holiday, her inspirations.

Be sure to pick up Little Sway, the perfect Valentine’s Day album. The songs are beautifully arranged with an upbeat playful start, moving into a more serious and seductive tone to set the mood for a romantic evening of vintage furs, rose blossoms, wing tips and dinner for two. As for me, I won’t be forgetting to add the album to my next bedtime chill-out playlist.