Born CD

BORN, the debut album by the sultry string quartet Bond, is many things but certainly not a classical record in the traditional sense. And that's the point. The group expertly mines the crossover territory mapped out by artists such as Vanessa-Mae and Adiemus, and despite the hype and marketing, Bond shouldn't be dismissed as merely a pretty girl group cloaked in classical music pretension. Along with their photogenic looks, the group boasts impressive classical and pop music credentials and canny commercial instincts. The result: a big, polished production that sets classically derived themes and traditional string quartet instrumentation in a variety of musical contexts.

The album's opening track, "Quixote," is indicative of the group's method--an ultra-romantic theme abruptly explodes into a high-energy pastiche of techno-style beats, electronically enhanced vocals, and Middle Eastern-flavored colorings. The foursome shows its multitude of musical influences in the worldbeat stylings of "Alexander the Great," the Abba-esque "Dalalai," the atmospheric "Oceanic" (with vocalist Marta Sebestyen), and "The 1812," the group's lavishly produced reworking of Tchaikovsky's well-known overture. The album closes fittingly with a remixed version of the anthemic "Victory," an apt declaration of Bond's take-no-prisoners approach.

The words "classical music" and "remix" are not usually found together in the same sentence. But then, Bond isn't your typical classical ensemble. This quartet of comely young women parlayed their model-worthy looks and conservatory training into a winning combination of high-octane versions of "classical" themes and MTV-style visuals that shook up the more conservative elements of the music world. But adventurous listeners responded enthusiastically and catapulted the foursome to stardom.

BOND REMIXED offers selections from the group's first two albums that are reworked and ready for the dance floor, including favorites such as "Viva," "Shine," "Victory," and "Fuego." The disc also features several previously unreleased tracks including typically no-holds-barred renditions of "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Bond on Bond," the group's take on the familiar theme from the James Bond films. And for those looking to experience the full Bond treatment, there's a bonus in the form of two video tracks. REMIXED is decidedly not an affair for purists, but fans will find much to enjoy.

Additional personnel includes: Carmen, Marta Sebestyen (vocals); Mark Wood, Ramon Ruiz (guitar); Pandit Dinesh, Michele Drees, Chucho Merchan (percussion); London Session Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, Cubshack, Townhouse Studios, and Whitfield Street Studios, London, England; Oakleigh Music Studio, Strattford, England from November 1999-May 2000.

Producers: Magnus Fiennes, Yoad Nevo, Gareth Cousins, Mike Batt.

Engineers include: Rick Featherstone, Pete Lewis, Gareth Cousins.

Bond: Haylie Ecker, Eos Chater (violin); Tania Davis (viola); Gay-Yee Westeroff (cello).

Producers include: Magnus Fiennes, Orion, Stuart Crichton, Andy Wright, Michael Cann.

Bond: Haylie Ecker, Eos (violin); Tania Davis (viola); Gay-Yee Westeroff (cello, double bass).



This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.