Anders Holst

STATS Rank: 1,868 Fans: 1 Views: 7,612

Primary Instrument: Vocal

By: Chuck Taylor Senior Correspondent/Billboard Magazine, New York

Anders Holst is a regal contender to become the new crowned prince of contemporary romantic music. The original compositions across Romantika glide with the ease and beauty of a springtime drive through the countryside. Utilizing the gloss of majestic grand piano, breezy horns, sweet sax and whispering strings, Holst accompanies with a vocal style that sweeps the listener along, even as he offers a frank lyrical portrait of decidedly grown-up themes: love gone wrong, resulting sorrow and isolation�”along with hints of resolve and redemption.

Ironically, while his life was always surrounded by music, the Swedish-born Holst was unknowingly destined to become a career musician. With a background in strategic management consulting, he eventually moved to the United States as co-chairman of the Ross Institute, which fostered international dialogue about teaching, healthcare and the environment.

But melodies pervaded his soul. Writing his first song at age 11 and performing for friends and family, in 2005 and by then living in New York, Holst released smooth jazz-infused debut EP Five, recorded in Sweden and Los Angeles. Among the highlights: “Until the End of Time,” which features tenor sax player Gerald Albright and guitarist Paul Jackson Jr.

Romantika ushers in a new chapter for the superlative singer, songwriter and producer, conjuring a varied palette of performers, including Alan Parsons, Seal, Sting and Chicago. The album was recorded in Stockholm and produced and arranged by Alar Suurna, Jerker Eklund, Mats Byström and Holst.

Highlights on the collection include the reflective “Two Sides,” exploring the idea that it first takes pain to journey into healing; jaunty “A Lonelier Laughter,” looking back on love that “We almost got right”; and the regretful, melancholy “Tainted Shots,” in which Holst sings, “Why didn’t we talk things over? Why didn’t we speak the words of truth/So many miles ahead, We will never walk.” He also serves up a cool, jazzy take on Billy Joel’s 1993 hit “All About Soul,” colored with sensual saxophone. Romantika closes with the beautiful “Lovers in the Dark,” a confessional treatise on the downturn of his ultimate love, with the poetic observation, “Autumn came around/Leaves on the ground/Follow them down?”

Among artists appealing to adult sensibilities�”and likewise, adult sensitivity�”Anders Holst understands that loss and hurting are as much a universal experience as the vulnerability that we must surrender in the eternal quest to share love and give into vulnerability. Through that, his themes across Romantika ultimately offer us all hope.

Last Updated: January 13, 2009

“His (Anders) honest and original love songs can give romantic music a brand new chance. Do your heart a favor and check him out.” QUINCY JONES

“Anders Holst is a regal contender to become the new crowned prince of contemporary romantic music. The original compositions across ‘Romantika’ glide with the ease and beauty of a springtime drive through the countryside.” CHUCK TAYLOR, BILLBOARD MAGAZINE

“’All About Soul’ is the best I've heard from Holst… it is a very well-written tune and Holst's smooth jazz interpretation makes it a great track for our smooth jazz channel. People hear Boz and Robert Palmer in the music … the vocal approach is best described as a blend of Bryan Ferry and Peter Gabriel.” WILL KINNALLY, MUSIC CHOICE

“Soulful Swedish singer/songwriter Anders Holst blends smoky jazz with the adult contemporary melodicism of Sting, Seal, and Leonard Cohen. Introspective, spiritual, and romantic, Anders deftly weaves pop, jazz, and classical into a smooth style all its own.” JAMES CHRISTOPHER MONGER, ALL MUSIC GUIDE

“It grabbed me instantly; I haven’t heard music and lyrics like this before. When you can play something unique after listening to music for 35 years, that’s fantastic!“ FRED BRONSON, BILLBOARD MAGAZINE

“Every year I pick my top 50 faves… out of a thousand downloads, they are the best!! At # 45. ‘Love Me Like a River’ �” Anders Holst . At first I just fell for the arrangement & orchestration, so what’s wrong with that?” AL KOOPER

“The album itself highlights Holst’s ability to perform cool jazz and groove. Holst’s song writing melds fervent, solicitous, fanciful lyrics with strains that will touch your heart, mind and soul… this release will drive you through a sentimental pilgrimage, visiting jazz and blues in contemporary soundscapes. Heartily recommended.“ ANA ISABEL ORDONEZ, JAZZREVIEW.COM

“This debut offering by the soulful, deep voiced Swedish born singer, songwriter and producer may only be five tracks long but its soaring melodies, rich production texture and clever wistful lyrics pack an emotional punch equal to most full-length collections... A nostalgic journey through his adopted hometown, that beautifully blends pop, jazz, classical and chill flavors.” JONATHAN WIDRAN, SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS

“Combine warm, thoughtful, romantic, and, at times, bittersweet lyrics with melodies that will get inside your head and under your skin... add a smoky, intriguing voice, lush instrumentation, and sparkling production... and you've got a grand success! I thoroughly enjoy this collection of tunes on Five, and eagerly await much more from Anders Holst!” SCOTT O'BRIEN, SMOOTHJAZZ.COM

Anders Holst

Romantika
UOM, Unheard of Music
2009
Tracks:
1. All About Soul
2. Make It Shine
3. Tainted Shots
4. Told You A Thousand Times
5. Fight The Tide
6. Innocent & Blue
7. Two Sides
8. Across The Border
9. Lonelier Laughter
10. Lovers In The Dark

Five
UOM, Unheard of Music
2005
Tracks:
1. Never Look Back
2. Love Me Like A River
3. Anfield Road
4. Verrazano Bridge
5. Until the End of Time, L.A. Mix.

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