Kelly Sweet
We Are One
Review By Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
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  Kelly Sweet is going to be the next big star, the diva we all have been waiting to come onto the scene that is not a manufactured American Idol. Kelly met with producer, arranger, and songwriter Mark Portmann (Celine Dion) in the summer of 2004. Soon the two began writing songs together, resulting in the turning point of a career that blossoms on We Are One on Razor & Tie Entertainment.

The twelve tracks on this CD give you a glimpse of the diverse talent that Kelly Sweet is. Someday this album will be a cherished debut that few were able to duplicate. The comparisons to Celine Dion will invariably arise due to her relationship with Portmann as the producer and the fact that she recorded three tracks in French and Italian. Although I could not understand a word, I could feel the emotion that went into each track and Sweet's talent is obvious no matter what she is doing on this recording. This lady has it all going for her. "Raincoat" is her take on jazz, and oh my, is it a great effort. I think that jazz is a style she should delve into more seriously. She certainly has the right vocal timbre to go places with it-not to say she is not already. These are yet more options for a career that is all set to take flight-straight to the upper stratosphere and beyond. Yes, I feel that strongly about this artist. I do not say things like this if I do not feel it and all the necessary elements are in place here for her to make a huge impact.

Aerosmith's "Dream On" is interesting. I love the original and have some difficulty with this sugary interpretation. Kelly does a nice job with it however, the original intent seems to hold an entirely different meaning now, and perhaps that is the entire reason she covered it in the first place? I can hear the leadoff and title track earmarked as the first single and an excellent draw for the rest of the album. It is one of the best tracks on the album. This is my pick for the single that pulls in a massive audience just dying for a new hero, someone who is real that worked their way up through the ranks with guts, determination, and real talent. All of that really appeals to me, after all, we get our share of negative media and "reality" TV, and lord knows we all could use a good shot of wholesome talent and an angelic voice to bring us back down to earth.

If you enjoy pristine beautiful vocals that entice you with elements of rock, pop, jazz, and dabble in crossover pop from another country, this is your next ticket to a paradise that you probably thought was long gone. Yes indeed "Now We Are Free."

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