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| New Album From Ari Hest Red Ink/Columbia Records will release 'The Break-In, ' the avidly-anticipated new album from acclaimed Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Ari Hest, on May 1. 'The Break-In' is the first full-length studio album from Ari Hest since his 2004 major label debut, 'Someone To Tell, ' and is the first set of new recordings from the artist since the release of 'The Green Room Sessions' EP in 2006. With 'The Break-In, ' Ari Hest builds on the soft-spoken sensibility he established with 'Someone To Tell' and sets out in new musical and lyrical directions with an album that showcases both his development as a writer and growth as an artist. Most of 'The Break-In' was recorded in Santa Monica with veteran producer Mitchell Froom, whose résumé includes Crowded House, Elvis Costello, Suzanne Vega, Los Lobos, Ron Sexsmith and many others. Ari, who'd been a fan of Mitchell's work, was curious about what Froom would do with his sound. "He wanted to get the truth and the honesty out of me and not fluff it up in any way", says Ari, "and not color it in ways that would hinder the message." Ari and Mitchell met up in late 2005 and began recording 'The Break-In' in February 2006. Tracks recorded in California include "When and If", "Bird Never Flies", "Leaving Her Alone", "When To Quit", "Right Of Way", "The Break-In", "Big Ben", and "Just As Well." Returning to New York from Los Angeles after recording the bulk of 'The Break-In, ' Ari recorded and produced two additional songs: the album's closing track, "I've Got You", which has been made available on iTunes, and "So Slow", which has become a fan favorite among newer songs that Ari has performed live. Ari wrote all the songs on the album while sharing co-writing credit on two of the tracks. "The Break-In" was penned by Ari with a couple of his long-time touring band mates: drummer and percussionist Scott Seiver and bassist Rob Calder. While some of the songs on the album had been road-tested at Ari's live shows, "The Break-In" was written especially for the album and is, according to the artist, one of the most provocative tracks, both because of its emotionally complex lyrics as well as Froom's subtle production. Ari's favorite song on the album, "Bird Never Flies", was co-written with the Gary Louris, of the Jayhawks and Golden Smog. "It was great writing with Gary", Ari says. "I came to him with the guitar line and the melody of the verse and he seemed to know immediately where to go with it. He came up with the perfect second section of the song." A productive musician and prolific songwriter, Ari writes songs every week and tours consistently throughout the year, honing the tunes in front of ever-appreciative audiences. During the two years since his major label debut, Ari has produced two DIY recordings -- 2005's Guilty Hearts EP and 2006's 'The Green Room Sessions' -- for which he produced and recorded his performances on every instrument using Apple's GarageBand software. Still, there was plenty of new material ready for 'The Break-In.' "By the time we began recording for this album, I had enough songs written that I didn't have to write anything in the studio", Ari says of the song selection. "We just had to arrange what was already there." Like its predecessors, 'The Break-In' showcases Ari's rich vocal range, which glides effortlessly from the baritone to falsetto registers. Coupled with the depth and strength of his lyrics and the natural ease of his melodies, Ari's extraordinary vocal abilities give his music its power. The artist's new album offers a fresh perspective for Ari's fans. "These songs are ultimately hopeful", he explains. "In the end, the predominant message is that I'm going to figure this out and it's going to be OK." write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |