Nadia Ackerman – The Ocean Master

Artist/Nadia Ackerman
Album/ The Ocean Master

About the Artist: This is Ackerman’s latest release entitled ‘The Ocean Master” (Spectra Records). Researching her bio: she has received critical acclaim thus far in her musical career here and abroad. She is based in New York, but is originally from Australia. Born in Melbourne,Australia, Nadia is the 3rd child of 4. From a very early age her desire to be heard was apparent. Nadia began singing at the age of three in her crib. She would wake up her parents at 4am singing “ Don’t Cry For me Argentina” and The Mull of Kintyre with perfect pitch and a lisp. From performances on morning broadcasts in Australia to Hotel Contracts in Asia singing Jazz to singing backing vocals at Carnegie Hall with the likes of Sting, Billy Joel and James Taylor…She has been on quite the journey. Nadia spent years studying and performing jazz. Nancy Wilson, Carmen MacRae and Betty Carter became her teachers.

Review: The Ocean Master is one unique release that certainly doesn’t disappoint. This is one artist that brings to the table effective songwriting via a highly subjective musical delivery. This meshed with a one in a million Alt-Folk-Rock sound and effective visuals and vocals makes for a very effective combination no doubt. Ackerman is just a breath away from Modern Folk or even Alternative Rock but skillfully manages to never cross the line into that realm. This makes for a very unique sound indeed that is mystifying end extremely fascinating. All songs are wonderfully simple but masterful in their overall arrangements. Music reminded me of a cross between Sinead O’ Connor, and some of the slower material from Florence and the Machine. This CD is quite entertaining overall with an unobtrusive yet detached vocal feel from Ackerman – but it works very well in this light. She is a musical triple threat in my mind. She is a world class songwriter and has what I would call savant-esqe creativity. She has a young and likeable appeal (visually and vocally). Her lyrical content is a giant curveball and offers a very compelling and soul searcher perspective and spirit. No doubt many will like Ackerman and her mysterious music. All songs do exactly what they are meant to do via well-crafted movements and top tiered musicianship. The overall production value is superb with a crystal clear sound quality. Top Tracks: Underground, I Believed, Mary Jane, Risk it All

Criticism: Ackerman isn’t the most impressive vocalist I’ve ever come across. Though she manages to keep her head above water I don’t really see her as a very technical singer. If there’s was something special about Ackerman it would have to be her savant style writing virtuoso and brilliant perspective on life – through music.

Song Samples from The Ocean Master @ AMAZON:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Ocean-Master-Nadia-Ackerman/dp/B006ONORWY

Official URL – www.nadiackerman.com

Conclusion: Nadia Ackerman has proven herself with this latest release. She is clearly an up and coming talent around New York/Australia and all band members backing her up are clearly capable musicians. I must admit “The Ocean Master” sucked me in like a powerful drug and refused to let go long after the CD was over. This usually indicates something special about the artist or band in question. Thus deserving praise, recognition and musical fame at the international level. Need I say more?

Michael Rand edited by Drew Blackwell
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