Voyces United for UNHCR

Date of Release:
Bulgaria: October 2005
USA: August 2006

Genre:
Compilation Album, Studio Album

Label:
Intersound Records

Producer:
Mick Lloyd (Compilation), Joalby Lopez


Voyces United for UNHCR is a charity album for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which protects and supports refugees worldwide. The UNHCR was established December 14th, 1950 and its purpose is the protection of the rights and well-being of refugees, which includes that everyone has the possibility to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, maybe to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. For its effort the agency was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize twice (1954 and 1981).

So much for the educational part.

Voyces United for UNHCR is the attempt to raise money from as many people as possible – and so the music of the album is concepted: mostly, it is mainstream pop, suitable for charts and the major part of people.

Candice Coleman is the absolute highlight of the album. Coleman, who was a participant of American Idol II, plays good old-school pop-rock supported by a very beautiful voice, which you will recognize beneath 100 others. Her song ”How Long” is a true earwig. It blends common folk with a continuation of female pop- tradition from Lisa Stansfield to Pink.

Another artist who stands aside the other musicans of this charity album is the Scottish singer Mary Jane Lamond. She sings in Gaelic language in order preserve this ethnological tradition. Her contribution to the CD “Mo Mhaeli Bheag Og” is an interesting mix of popmusic and mystical, medieval tunes that remind of Enya. Lamonds rhythm is dragging and the used instruments like violin and spinett are unusual for the pop genre.

Also to mention is Laetizia, a young singer/songwriter who proves that television-casting shows are able to raise really talented and serious artists. Laetizia, who performs in Frech language (it always sounds a little better, right?), lets us know her own special style although she is very compatible to mainstream charts. But her music is more inventive and natural – that is why she has the makings of an international earwig producer.

From the notable number of fourteen songs on the album, there are some few that you will remember – not only because you think they are extraordinarily great, but because these songs are at least innovative (if you like them or not). One of these resourceful songs is Natacha Atlas’ ”Just Like A Dream”. Atlas tries to mix usual pop rhythms with Hip Hop and – that’s is the special quality – with Arabian influences. This blend is quite risky and to be honest, it’s not my cup of tea. But I can surely imagine that many people are interested in this mixture of this ethno-like song that keeps what the title promises: It ripples along like a rivulet, comfortable and smooth, and it kidnapps you into a special mood, like a dream.

The album was initiated by Joalby Lopez who also contributed the song "Miscellaneous Pi" to the CD. You can find an interview with Joalby HERE.

Link: www.voycesunitedforunhcr.com