Melissa Polinar

"....This artist has a voice that is not only skilled and imaginative, but distinctive in its tonal quality, allowing her to take the material to a higher level. “Always Need You” is piece of material that has commercial radio appeal. “Other Side” allows Polinar to show a surplus of soul in a sinuous, three-part vocal arrangement."

- Music Connection Magazine (January 2006)

"....a naturally strong vocal presence." - October 23, 2005 (www.versusmedia.com)

"...extremely talented."

"rich, strong songs."

"powerful voice..."

"...great energy in your voice and delivery."

"...great stage presence."

"...very good musicianship."

"....what a surprising voice....and a very likeable & dynamic stage presence." - from: October 23 & 31, 2005 (review bites)

"....Melissa had the goods and brought home the grand prize"

"It didn't take long for INgrooves to decide who they wanted to work with and they are very excited about the chance to work with Melissa."

>>>>in regards to winning "Fan Your Band To Fame Contest"
(Sponsored by: INgrooves - www.ingrooves.com)

- www.unsignedmusicmag.com (k.l. hamlett)

Just when I thought I was too old and musically jaded to be captivated by anything new, along comes Melissa Polinar to drag me out of my molehole by what’s left of my hair. Truth be told, I didn’t have to be forced out; I came willingly, having heard some of Polinar’s earlier tunes on MySpace a while back. But those offerings were just the bait that enticed me to the trap. Now, with the release of “The Sound Vault Sessions”, the trap has been fully sprung.

“Sound Vault Sessions” is, quite succinctly, a revelation. Whereas in her previous catalog Melissa’s charms were clearly evident, this new EP makes her talent abundantly and aggressively obvious. Major props to the Texas-based Cabrera brothers (Sid and Greg) for brilliant production values that keep the emphasis where it belongs - on Melissa’s uncanny voice. And what a voice it is – a glorious instrument equally capable of delicate surgical precision and blunt force trauma.

The Polinar pipes can stand on their own, but fortunately they don’t have to. On “Sound Vault Sessions” Melissa is backed up by crack studio cat Sid Cabrera whose multi-instrumental support kicks this effort way over the top. Check out the opening moments of “Sing To Me”, where a snakey bassline and rimshot-laden drum pattern recall the kind of off-kilter stutterbeat Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts used to do so well. A tasty guitar fill rolls into the mix, then Melissa lays down a smoldering “MMMmmmmm” that could overheat the laser on your CD player. By the time everybody arrives at the first chorus you’ll be jukin’ around like a dashboard bobblehead on a dirt road.

But the big beating heart at the core of everything is Melissa Polinar. Strip away all else, as in the “unplugged” version of “Meant To Be”, and you’ll realize what a special artist this is. Her songwriting, her playing, and of course her singing cannot be praised highly enough. Seriously, if Ms. Polinar can’t move you, you’ve got some issues that need to be addressed. Or you may be dead.

“Melissa Polinar - The Sound Vault Sessions” is currently available for download at all the usual places. At this time there is no record label listed – but rest assured, this is a major work from a major artist. - Asian Talent Online - Steve Foley