Links to MP3 Clips of Music Featured always follow reviews as do price comparison links and other links to Rock Music and other areas in Rikks Revues. Enjoy and check out other Easy Listening / Jazz CD Reviews @ Rikks Revues!

Sophie Milman 

By Rikks Revues writer - Teresa Liao

It's getting the right person to stop and take notice that's the hard part. For Sophie Milman, making it through the hard part came unexpectedly. Her decision to participate in a local Toronto jazz series called 'Real Divas' coordinated by music producer Bill King proved to be the first step in what could be a remarkable career.

Russian born Milman spent her formative years in Israel, away from the disorder created by a collapsing communistic government. In Israel, Milman won various children's talent shows and discovered a love of jazz. Then at the age of 15, Sophie Milman and her family moved to Toronto. A few years later, Milman still in her teens, walked into Real Divas, got herself a record deal and now she's got one of the hottest jazz albums on the market.

Milman's vocals are strong and sultry. Sophie Milman's rendition of "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" and the Gershwin classic "I Feel Pretty" are superbly produced and performed. It's no wonder she got so many call backs from her performance on 'Real Divas'. Right now, Sophie is focused on improving her vocal talents and learning more about music and the industry. Her self titled debut album is a collection of sublime jazz covers like "La Vie en Rose", the Billie Holiday song "Guilty", and a new original by two UK songwriters "Back Home to Me".

When asked by one reporter why she didn't write her own songs, Milman responded, "I'd rather sing good covers than bad originals." Now that is the mark of a great talent. Milman knows her strengths and weaknesses. She knows she's got a voice but not the experience, and she's willing to explore other music before running head first into songwriting. What came from Sophie Milman's time in the studio is an album that is both classic and new. Of course working with great musicians who provide the backdrop to her silky voice didn't hurt either.

With her voice, which could do just as well in any genre, a willingness to learn (something all musicians should make note of) and the ability to speak four languages, Milman is poised for a great musical career. That is, of course, if she doesn't plan on going into banking (she is currently studying for her undergraduate degree in commerce). We'll have to wait and see about that. In the meantime, maybe Milman will record another album between mid-terms and classes before graduation.

  (5.5 Stars out of 6)

To listen to MP3 clips click play or text links! 1. Agua De Beber 2. I Can’t Give You Anything But Love 3. Guilty 4. My Baby Just Cares For Me 5. Back Home To Me 6. The Man I Love 7. Lonely In New York 8. I Feel Pretty 9. La Vie En Rose 10. My Heart Belongs To Daddy 11. Ochi Cherney (Dark Eyes) 12. This Time Of The Year

If you're looking for something to relax by, maybe snuggling by the fire with that special someone, You've entered the place for all things musically tranquil. Easy Listening reviews are right here. From the simple meditative sounds to the vast sounds of New Age and singer/ songwriters who embrace their music. Easy listening music hasn't always been given it's due, so I plan to help the cause a bit from here. Instrumental music, classical, new age, soft jazz and more!