Gypsy Soul Sacred CD

Part of the proceeds from the sale of SACRED will go to the Foundation for Advancement in Music Education (FAME). FAME is dedicated to encouraging and enriching music education throughout the nation by providing music industry talent and services to aid educators in the classroom.

Pop/folk duo Gypsy Soul runs its own record label, Off the Beaten Track Records, which issued its two previous albums of original material, Test of Time and Sanctuary. Clearly, group members Cilette Swann (who sings) and Roman Morykit (who plays most of the instruments) understand that the more records a company has in its catalog the better, and a Christmas collection can be a perennial seller. Thus, Sacred is their first holiday album, and as its title indicates, it is full of traditional carols and hymns. The arrangements are eclectic within an acoustic framework. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is rendered in a jazzy style that sounds like a cross between the original song and "St. James Infirmary"; "O Holy Night" could appear on an acoustic country Christmas album; "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" would fit on one of Windham Hill's new age seasonal samplers. Swann is a more restrained singer here than on the group's regular albums, giving the songs reverent, if slightly melancholy readings. This will be a welcome collection to fans of acoustic music, who may want to investigate Gypsy Soul's non-holiday fare next. ~ William Ruhlmann

The Music of Gypsy Soul is a "Conversation With God".- Neale Donald Walsch, New York Times Best selling author.Reviews of Silent Night from Scared: "I loved this song as a child, but as I grow older it's one of those songs I dread hearing again as the Christmas season draws near. It has been done to death, and it's greatest weakness is how slow and soft the song is. Monotonous and sleep-inducing... until now. Gypsy Soul takes this timeless classic and turns it's weakness into a powerful strength. With vocals by Cilete Swann that rival Enya's most hypnotic work, and expertly woven classic guitar which could make the hair on the back of one's neck feel a brush of angel's wings. They've breathed life back into an old standard. A must listen for this season." MEDIA QUOTES:"CRITICS CHOICE!" L.A. TIMES, SAN FRANCISCO HERALD, OC WEEKLY and 20 other publications"Gypsy Soul's 'Test of Time" is the best music to fall in love to."-NBC's THE TODAY SHOW"Gypsy Soul, the exquisite duo, is one of the most brilliantly instrumented and vocally adept bands alive and kicking. The most original material in the Folk-Rock scene today."-THE ORANGE COUNTY WEEKLY"Gypsy Soul creates gourmet music for music lovers."-KLOS RADIO"Cilette Swann's voice is haunting and Roman Morykit's musicianship is superb. Their music stirs the soul and moves the spirit."MONICA RIZZO: US Weekly"Soundtrack producers looking for the next Sarah McLachlan or spiritual descendent of Roxy music...their music is mesmerizing."- MUSIC CONNECTION"They combine vocal melodies into a lush, soulful European Folk,Celtic/Rock and r&b sound." -THE MUSIC PAPER, NYBIOGRAPHY:Gypsy Soul create an unforgettable musical landscape that is as rootsy as it is atmospheric and haunting. Cilette Swann's exquisitely powerful vocals lead, while partner Roman Morykit balances the band's etherealedge with inspired bass and guitar counterpoint. Cilette writes lyrical tales with impassioned insight and Roman creates the evocative musical tapestry, which the two effortlessly marry. Roman, an experienced producer with fourteen CDs to his credit, handles all of the production and most of the instrumentation for Gypsy Soul's CDs. Their extraordinary music and unique sound has been likened to artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Eva Cassidy, Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Allison Kraus, Shawn Colvin and Loreena McKennitt for its depth and beauty. The two met in Scotland and have traveled the world together for 13 years. Between the two of them, the duo has lived in five different countries, thus, bringing to their mDirty Linen (12/99-1/00, p.53) - "...Gypsy Soul's sweet and soulful Celtic-flavored soft rock is an enjoyable departure from the typical saccharine-riddled Christmas carol."