John Alcorn 
Style: candlelight jazz
Line-Up: John Alcorn (vocals, piano); Kim Radcliffe (guitar); Lew Mele (bass) with guest musicians.
Contact: John Alcorn, PO Box 472, Station C, Toronto, ON M6J 3P5 (416) 504-6469.

Two years in the making, Toronto smoky-voiced jazz pianist John Alcorn has finally finished his long-awaited debut CD, Haunted. Produced by Holly Cole keyboardist Aaron Davis and recorded at Wellesley Sound, the romantic collection sweeps you away. Sometimes soothing, sometimes sad, it's a sentimental journey to be sure. The album begins with the jazzy funk of "Out of This World", complete with a nine-piece string section. There follows the simply stirring "If I Could Sleep" (lyrics by Arlene Bishop) and the simply unshakeable "Haunted" (lyrics by Daniel MacIvor) - if you've ever lost a great love or friend, be prepared to have your heart sink. More empowering is the ballad, "I Do Not Love You", a happy kick to the sidewalk. On a different level, "Meet Me At The River" (also MacIvor) has a percussive tribal vibe, while "Change Your Mind" is a duet with Sony recording artist Melanie Doane. Then, brace yourself for the beat-poet jazz version of Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love". Haunted, a year-round Valentine's Day album, was well worth the wait.

Sky
Style: proudly pop
Line-Up: James (lead vocals, acoustic guitar); Antoine (backing vocals, bass, programming)
Contact: Lee Brown, 1064 Bernard Ave., #26, Montreal, PQ H2V 1V2 (514) 854-7571, FAX (514) 495-0500.

Montreal's Sky writes unapologetic hooky pop just begging to be played on American radio. Think Aussie's Savage Garden. With a hint of soul, the duo's polished tunes unfold in a cool, grooving way with beats, acoustic guitars and sweet harmonies. The demo tape is filled with hit after hit - particularly the pretty "Superwoman", kinda funky "America" and mellifluous "Weatherman". A major Canadian label is moments away from signing the group. Self-produced, engineered and mixed at Phat Royale Studios on eight-track, James, 26, and Antoine, 25, sang and played all the instruments, including programming all the beats. Also included are the richer funk of "Why", which breaks out the grinding guitar, and the oh-too-happy bounce of "My Dear Luv", which sounds right out of a Monkees episode. James and Antoine have been working together for five years, half that time officially as Sky. They've gigged locally with a band and a video for "America" received rotation on Musique Plus, showcasing their telegenic looks and sense of style.

Kardinal Offishall
Style: Kardinal sin
Line-Up: Kardinal Offishall (rapping, programming) with various F.O.S. crew members
Contact: Mansa Trotman, Warner/Chappell Music Canada, 85 Scarsdale Rd., # 101, Don Mills, ON M3B 2R2 (416) 445-3131. FAX (416) 445-2473

Number one is where he'll end up. Signed to a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music Canada, 20-year old Jason Harrow, a.k.a. Kardinal Offishall, blends soul, dancehall, reggae, hip hop and a wholly inventive approach to beats on his 21-track debut album, Eye & I. The streetwise Toronto-based rapper received a Juno nomination for his contribution to Beat Factory's 1996 Rap Essentials Vol. 1 compilation. A remixed version of the cut, "Naughty Dread", retitled "Knatty Dread Part 2" appears on Eye & I. Make no mistake this rapper is an original. His beats vary from the menacing to the earthy to the other-worldly to the sexy; his raps trip off the tongue, hard, witty, real, clever. Pay your respects to "Break Down (Keep Movin')", "On Wit Da Show" (featuring Denosh), "Da Brown", "P.W.O.T.", "Mysteries", "She's My Nigga" and "Madmoiselle". Produced by Kardinal Offishall, much of the album was recorded, engineered and mixed by Neville 'Gadget' Campbell at Studio 306. Additional recording was done at Cherry Beach Studios with engineer Rick Andersen and assistant Pino Halili.

The Ennis Sisters
Style: breath of Atlantic angels
Line-Up: Maureen Ennis (rhythm guitar, vocals); Karen Ennis (tin whistle, vocals); Teresa Ennis (vocals); Anne Devine (bass); Sonny Hogan (drums); Patrick Morgan (fiddle) and various guests.
Contact: 4 Bowring Place, St. John's, NF A1E 3P5 (709) 368-3496 or (709) 432-2152.

With the commercial breakthrough of Celtic groups Great Big Sea and Leahy, A&R reps are swooping down on these young Atlantic Canadian lasses with voices bright and clear. The album, Red Is The Rose, named after a traditional song of the same title, includes gentle and the sprightly material, mainly written by Maureen Ennis with arrangements credited to all three siblings. While they cover Charlie McGettigan's beautiful "If Anything Happened To You" and the Ron Hynes/Murray MacLauchlan co-write "No Change In Me", The Ennis Sisters originals fit well alongside. "The Traveller", augmented with upbeat fiddle and bouzouki, is footloose and fancy free; the lonesome "Right Here With Me" is gentle and mournful; "Seasons" is a merry metaphor of love and "Breath of Angels" caresses with memories of "the land I love and cherish." Produced by Anne Devine with engineer Spencer Crewe, the album was recorded and mixed at First City Productions in St. John's, Newfoundland.

Credit: Karen Bliss is a Toronto-based freelance writer.

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