Artist : Ron Sexsmith
Album : Exit Strategy Of The Soul
Style : Folk, Blues
Source : CDDA
Label : Warner Music Canada
Original Release Date: July 8, 2008
Quality : vbr, 44,1kHz, Joint Stereo
Tracks : 14
Time : 44:39 min
Size : 53,2 Mb (recovery record added)
Pre-Listen : amazon link

:: DESCRIPTION ::

A true artist's artist, Ron Sexsmith has been writing and performing his earnest, soulful songs for nearly thirty years now, engendering praise from a litany of artists too influential and many to name. On his latest album Exit Strategy of the Soul, Sexsmith expands his musical canon with vaulted yet direct string arrangements and sweeping horn sections, resulting in a work equal in musical breadth and emotional depth. Recorded in both the cold of classical London and the sweaty flamboyance of Havana, Cuba, Exit Strategy... is a study of the beauty that can come from the heartfelt melding of seemingly contrary ideas, be they musical, cultural or emotional. Delving deep into Cuban music, Sexsmith recruited legendary Cuban musicians Amaury Perez and Alexander Abreu as well as experienced arranger Joaquin Betancourt to lend latin punch and style to his sweeping, yearnful melodies. Also appearing on Exit Strategy of the Soul is standout track 'Brandy Alexander,' co-written with fellow Canadian singer-songwriter Feist. After the two met at a party where Ron was drinking the concoction, the two entered into a long-distance collaboration with both artists eventually recording their own version of the song for their respective albums. In the career of Ron Sexsmith Exit Strategy of the Soul is at once a culmination and a precipice, a work that feels as complete as it does an artistic jumping-off point. Only the mind of the artist knows his intention and knowing Sexsmith, he's not telling.

:: REVIEW ::

When i read that Ron sexsmith was to use Cuban musicians in the making of this album, i was a bit worried, i always preferred my "Still Crazy" to the "Graceland", 25 listens later, i needed worry, this is another sublime sexsmith album, the use of Cuban brass is subtle and delightful giving the album a soulful and heartwarming ( a typical sexsmith trait) feel, his bittersweet lyrics and melodies are consistently superb, just listen to "traveling alone", a lesson in songwriting.

This is the best sexsmith album since, well, the last one and another wonderful entry to his superb back catalog, how can someone be so consistently good is beyond me.
I just say thank you.

:: TRACKLIST ::
---------------------
01. Spiritude (Instrumental) 01:30
02. This Is How I Know 03:50
03. One Last Round 03:11
04. Ghost Of A Chance 03:38
05. Thoughts And Prayers 02:53
06. Brandy Alexander 03:27
07. Traveling Alone 03:45
08. Poor Helpless Dreams 03:51
09. Hard Time 03:11
10. The Impossible World 02:50
11. Chased By Love 03:38
12. Brighter Still 03:41
13. Music To My Ears 02:59
14. Dawn Anna (Instrumental) 02:15