ANAEL
Light Of Refinement
(c) (p) 1997 APSIS Music
11tks/51mins

Born among the shining of distant stars and splendor of unknown worlds, far away from the most distant borders of unlimited space comes a charming, fresh new voice. It transforms the pristine chaos and nightmares of deep sleep into something inexpressibly beautiful. As if some creature came to Earth to harmonize our world. Her name is Anael. There is something otherworldly in her singing, something that comes not from this earth. From what astral dimensions did she bring us her magical songs? And what made her come to us here? Love, maybe? Who knows.

It takes no effort to enjoy the singing of Anael, from the first seconds of an imposing composition like Kyrie, passing into the piercingly-naked One Brief Dream, and leading into the thoughtfully-peaceful My Lifetime. All her songs are beautiful. They contain romanticism and delicate lyrics. The wonderful voice of Anael weaves thin layers of lace, covering the listener in a soft cocoon, as if made from the most delicate silk. By its sheer touch, this voice warms and caresses, calms and purifies. And the album title 'Light Of Refinement' perfectly corresponds to the ideas which are expressed in Anael's songs. I must say that this album, which was the artist's debut and released in 1997, stayed five months in the prestigious New Age Voices' Top 35. With 'Light Of Refinement,' a new star called Anael appeared in the sky of new age music.

When speaking of Anael, one cannot help but mention one more person, without whom this brilliant project would be impossible. This is poet, producer and musician Bradfield. His arrangements are refined and very exact, and frame Anael's voice extremely well. The sonority of his instruments is soft, while at the same time rich and textured with various shades. All the compositions are also very melodious.

What else can I tell you? Listen to this album. Only a woman deeply in love can sing as Anael does.

Serge Kozlovsky