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Sonic Bliss
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There are few artists who come across our ears who can truly evoke a feeling of being connected with...There are few artists who come across our ears who can truly evoke a feeling of being connected with the sounds that are playing off their albums. We stumbled onto a singer/songwriter from Philadelphia by the name of Sierra Hurtt and if you have not heard of her yet... get on the boat now because with her recent debut release “Stranger” she is about to blow up and never look back. While surfing through the internet on a very dreary April night, I came across Sierra’s Bandcamp page just the same as I would any other artist, but from her first song “We Can Do Anything” I knew I was already a fan thirty seconds into the song.
Finding Sierra’s album turned around my night and somehow consumed it because I found myself a couple hours later still playing her album via the Bandcamp stream. I have a very deep rock’n’roll background but have always had a soft spot for one of my guilty pleasures which is the artist “Sade”. Upon hearing “Stranger” I really heard a woman putting together a debut album that would have definitely competed with Sade’s debut release “Diamond Life”. The big difference is that Sierra’s musical talent had a degree of superiority over a release like that, fast forward to 2012 and you can see that Sierra is not a modern day Sade... but a completely individual artist with such an eclectic blend of elements put into her music that she is destined to be nothing less than a superstar.
A stand out track for us is the album’s title track “Stranger”. The track has such a symphonic way of carrying the tempo on such an appealing pace. It’s so relaxed but has this amazing upstroke rhythm on the guitar that just makes your head bop along with a very distinct bassline all backing Sierra’s soulful vocal lines. The line “There’s a stranger asking who are you... what are you made of” really can resonate with such a wide variety of listeners. We’ve all been in that position before, we look in the mirror every day sometimes looking at you and asking a variety of questions. Sierra’s ability to connect to her audience is dead on; you can feel her words come alive into real life experiences and situations.
Real life is what sells records and you can pick up that Sierra has been through her share of ups and downs on a variety of levels. On the track “Hurt” we not only get another look into Sierra’s soft side but also get to see her showcase her level of vocal talents. Her sultry voice just has so much passion and depth to it, it’s easy to listen to and blends so well with the superior level of production on the album. A special mention should be made to anyone involved in the instrumentation on the album, because it is a cut above the vast majority of records coming out today. There is no sense of auto-tune or any tricks to make the album as a whole sound better that it is. It carries itself that well, in that you feel like this is the real deal and we are happy to add this to our current rotation of artists with nothing less than expectations of more to come, but for now we’ll sit back and enjoy the sonic bliss that is Sierra Hurtt.
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The Showdown
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If Sade jammed an acoustic guitar and got a little funkier, she would sound like burgeoning artist [...If Sade jammed an acoustic guitar and got a little funkier, she would sound like burgeoning artist [Sierra Hurtt], who runs the gamut from Latin to soul music. While her new album, [Stranger], due out April 10, covers many genres it ultimately highlights the singer’s deep, tender, silky voice.
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...absolutely stunning
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“When you’re heart is trying to tell you something Not that far from the truth Just do it…” are the ...“When you’re heart is trying to tell you something Not that far from the truth Just do it…” are the first three lines that Sierra Hurtt sings on her brand new debut album, and was way over and above, what I needed to hear, in establishing whether this album and artist had something special going on.
The three lines belong to the opening track entitled “We Can Do Anything”. The song is similar in style, to works by Grammy award winner Jason Mraz. A snappy acoustic-guitar rhythm hook that sustains Sierra’s soulful Sade-like vocal delivery.
The song which has also been released as the first single, has a captivating melody line which will seize your attention from the very first listen.
On track two, Sierra slows it right down with a powerful, yet understated introspective composition, entitled “Mother Wishes”, which she herself penned together with Ross Landy.
The reggae influenced “Stranger” is the first total Sierra Hurtt creation to appear on the album. “There’s a stranger in the mirror asking who are you…And what are you made of” she sings expressively, convincing us even further of her songwriting and vocal capabilities.
“Tug-n-Pull” is another song co-written with Ross Landy. And like the other songs that precede it, “Tug-n-Pull” has the same hypnotic ingredients. On the surface, the musical arrangements always tend to sound slightly understated and inhibited, while you can always sense the pressure the of power bubbling underneath. In much the same way, Sierra seems to keep her enormously gifted vocal chords under control. In fact if she’d wanted to impress, it would have been far simpler for her to just let it all out at the top of her voice. But she never allows herself to fall foul of this common trap, and delivers only, what exactly is needed to interpret each and every composition as passionately and perfectly as possible.
On “Juliet’s Got A Gun” Sierra’s vocals share center stage with some intense blues guitar riffs, and certainly presents itself as one of the album’s highlights.
Sierra Hurtt steps up the heat even further on track six. She hijacks Sting’s classic “Driven To Tears” and reworks it right down to the engine room. Producing a show-stopping thumper, that grooves between her acid vocal phrasing, a rumbling rhythm section and some solid horn stabs. Another album highlight.
I’d been expecting “Cry” ever since I pushed the play button, and it finally arrived, just as I imagined. Sierra Hurtt’s crystal soul-searching voice, soaring above a wall of beautifully strummed acoustic guitars. What more could I ask for?
“Won’t” was written in collaboration with Pedro Syrah and is probably the most ‘Sade-like’ sounding song on the album. Elegant and celestial vocals driven by a steadfast but delicate backbeat, all gently embraced by a palisade of strings.
“Hurt (u)” is the song I wasn’t expecting, and it is quite definitely the most brilliant song on the entire album. It flows in on a heart-beating hi-hat rhythm, “I hear you breathing, so I know you’re there You should stop worrying, I know you care Surprise, surprise You made another sacrifice…” The song is quick paced, with sharp-witted lyrics and it’s melody line hits right on target. As Muhammad Ali once said: “Floats like a butterfly, Stings like a bee…”, leaving you breathless. Just for the record, Sierra also wrote this one.
The album closes with “Ties That Bind”, a skin tingling acapella ballad-arrangement that once again demonstrates how incredibly easy it seems for Sierra to harness her vocal power. We often forget that music not only comprises the sounds that are made, but also the spaces and time in between.
What sets Sierra Hurtt apart from her contemporaries, from my personal point of view, is not what she let’s out or delivers vocally, but rather what she holds back. Her innate ability to manipulate time and space in between musical notes and bars, is absolutely stunning.
These same traits can be found in her songwriting. Everything from lyrics to musical arrangements are perfectly dosed and never out of control or extravagant.
On “STRANGER”, Sierra Hurtt confirms beyond all reasonable doubt, that she doesn’t just possess singing and songwriting power. She dominates it!
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Album review - Stranger (03/01/12)
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Coming from a successful musical family — her dad is R&B songwriter and producer Phil Hurtt — has gi...Coming from a successful musical family — her dad is R&B songwriter and producer Phil Hurtt — has given acoustic soul artist Sierra Hurtt the impetus to try things her own way. Stranger, her first full-length (due out April 10), doesn't sound a bit like any other record, but takes inspiration from all over the map. Reggae with resonator guitar over layered voices, delicate and sweet but not cloying — then add glockenspiel? Why not? Hurtt makes it work. "Ties That Bind" is the tenderest thing imaginable, a softly aching a cappella track where the despair is palpable. "Juliet's Got a Gun" is like a cool crime flick, ringing of Kurt Weill's dark storytelling. —Mary Armstrong
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Best Local Songwriters in Philadelphia
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Sierra Hurtt calls herself “a singer and a songwriter,” and it’s an important distinction. At live s...Sierra Hurtt calls herself “a singer and a songwriter,” and it’s an important distinction. At live shows she’s a killer interpreter, turning familiar rock tunes into scorching torch songs with a vocal finesse that recalls Sade. But the real heat comes when she combines her smokey alto vocals with cutting original lyrics. Together they make Sierra something electrifying — recalling early genre-bending discs from Sarah McLachlan. Sierra tours the US and UK as an independent artist, but still calls Philly her home.
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Blown Away
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"It’s rare that I’m blown away by a new artist, but here we are. Endless possibilities in the Univer..."It’s rare that I’m blown away by a new artist, but here we are. Endless possibilities in the Universe if you’re open to it...[Sierra Hurtt's] voice oozes with honesty and credibility..."
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Feel good, blues-inspired, folk-pop
This is one of the best and most soulful female voices you'll ever hear!
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Unique and eclectic, but simple and accessible.
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Hailing from the city of Philadelphia, Sierra Hurtt is an experienced vocalist that manages the hard...Hailing from the city of Philadelphia, Sierra Hurtt is an experienced vocalist that manages the hard task to incorporate a simple approach to eclectic and genre-defying music solutions into one captivating persona.
Her debut album Stranger is a tastefully produced record, who blends in soul, pop and rock with a very fresh and modern approach, yet focusing on the "human elements" on the performance, that adds loads of honesty to her music:
Acoustic drums, electric guitars and bass with a retro flavor make for a more dynamic and emotional sound rather than most of the plastic, processed and sterile modern productions.
Sierra Hurtt's music features the smoothness of soul combined with a steadier rock / pop orientation, not unlike the work of performers such as Skin (Skunk Anansie), just focusing more on the melody than on the roughness of the sound!
Sierra's music is unique and eclectic, but simple and accessible, striking the listener with her great vocals and backing musicians, and with a great set of honestly heartfelt songs.
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Philly Songwriter Sings Her Way To The Top
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Philadelphia is known for its history and rich culture, but it is also known for its tremendous amou...Philadelphia is known for its history and rich culture, but it is also known for its tremendous amount of talent. Sierra Hurtt is one of Philly’s talented singer/songwriters who spreads her message through her music.
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One to watch
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We have had a rash of talented new members of late. Wanted to flag up Sierra Hurtt in particular. G...We have had a rash of talented new members of late. Wanted to flag up Sierra Hurtt in particular. Great experimental musician with a deeply soulful voice. Philadelphia has long been fertile ground for some of the best soul singers, giving us the O’Jays, Harold Melvin, Teddy Pendergrass and now Sierra. Have a listen to Rooftops.
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She Hurtts us so much
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Sierra Hurtt chegou tímida e com um daqueles problemas que só artista sabe ter e sofrer: a garganta ...Sierra Hurtt chegou tímida e com um daqueles problemas que só artista sabe ter e sofrer: a garganta estava formosa, mas não segura. Mas o mundo é pequeno: a borboleta de Filadélfia trouxe consigo o talentoso guitarrista galês Skeet Williams e uma caixinha mágica de loops ("that little box that makes the music go round", disse Sierra).
Na verdade foi difícil perceber porque é que a artista se desfez em desculpas. A menina Hurtt domina bem os seus blues. Escreve canções que nos fazem estar nas nuvens. Interpretou um belíssimo tema escrito pelo Mikkel Solnado e todos cantamos baixinho. Antes que a verdade fique sem o seu abono diga-se que onde Hurtt brilha é nas versões (covers). Eu explico: um bom cover não é karaoke, é acrescentar algo de bom, emprestar uma voz ao que já era conhecido à boa maneira do jazz vocal.
O esforço valeu a pena e no fim Hurtt lacrimejava no convento, que achou muito "grooval". "Muito obrigada, meu Portugal... beijinhos", escreveu a cantora. Ficamos à espera do seu regresso. E as melhoras para a garganta.
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Sierra
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So subtle is Sierra Hurtt.. somewhat withdrawn, observing.. beautifully quiet. Then she sings. Sierr...So subtle is Sierra Hurtt.. somewhat withdrawn, observing.. beautifully quiet. Then she sings. Sierra has a certain swagger.. smooth confident
swagger.
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Up On The Roof
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SIERRA HURTT is the daughter of top Philadelphia writer/producer/artist PHIL HURTT and, following in...SIERRA HURTT is the daughter of top Philadelphia writer/producer/artist PHIL HURTT and, following in dad's footsteps, she's about to release her first music collection - '8 Or 80'. The EP will be available from the usual internet outlets in June and it shows that the lady has a convincing soul voice – not surprising considering her background. The lead track is a slab of sultry nu-soul -'Rooftops'. It's a moody, atmospheric tune with a feel of CAROLE KING'S 'It's Too Late' to it.
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Organic
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A perfect blend of organic sounds, beautiful vocals and dreamy electronica. That is the essence of t...A perfect blend of organic sounds, beautiful vocals and dreamy electronica. That is the essence of this 9 track album by Paul Edwards.
The third cd release of this independant label that is, among likeminded people known for it's high quality releases, offers a huge variation of styles, blending together. Jazzy influences, drum 'n' bass rhythms, beautiful vocals by the excellent singer Sierra Hurtt, and a perfectly crafted balance between electronic sounds and organic material give this disc something special.
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Lilting and lovely
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The dark sighs and blips of "Mattaesque" lie in stark contrast to "Drug&Brace"'s raw drum and bass b...The dark sighs and blips of "Mattaesque" lie in stark contrast to "Drug&Brace"'s raw drum and bass beats and gnashing, rough chords, the lilting voice of contributing vocalist Sierra Hurtt trailing through the background. Hurtt's voice graces two additional songs: the upright bass-fueled, sticky elegance of "Burn" and the world music flavoured "Your Mind", replete with spacy synth progressions, tumbling percussion and bits of (what sounds like) a Central Asian or Tibetan horn.
Edwards succeeds in blending the boundaries of style and emerges from the opposite end with a whole new definition of experimental electronica. To Six Billion is what happens when soul, jazz, drum and bass, funk, downtempo and lounge collide -- and it is a lovely combination.
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Uniquely beautiful
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There is something uniquely beautiful on the new CD by Paul Edwards entitled To 6 Billion. With the ...There is something uniquely beautiful on the new CD by Paul Edwards entitled To 6 Billion. With the perfect mesh of intricate detail, sonic balance,
deeply felt/programmed electronics and angelic vocal work by Sierra Hurtt-- Paul Edwards has hit a Babe Ruthesque home run.
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Great first impression!
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Talk about a great first impression... burn's smoky noir-jazz is punctuated by cool, crisp e-beats a...Talk about a great first impression... burn's smoky noir-jazz is punctuated by cool, crisp e-beats and sultry vocalizations (which are lyrically interesting, even, adding esoteric twists to its torchy lament) by sierra hurtt. Definitely the most "structured" track and an enticing bit of misdirection, as the others tend towards more exploratory zones...
Nice work from paul edwards and friends... though the opening number is my fave, the remaining experimentronic tracks are more suited to these pages.
supersonic
