Editor Staff write up on Lovespirals:
The smooth grooves conjure comparisons to Portishead and Everything But the Girl. Combining jazzy torch-song vocal stylings with modern trip-hop sounds and rhythms, Lovespirals craft an infectious and exotic down-tempo sound that you might hear playing in an upscale New York club or Parisian underground lounge.
Radio Universidad de Puerto Rico stations WRTU 89.7 FM and WRUO 88.3 FM are running a series of programs with Lovespirals on the ecclectic music show Frequencias Alternas. Last week, host Iohann Rashi, interviewed Ryan and Anji about their new release, Windblown Kiss. Tommorrow he will run a special show hosted by Anji, highlighting some of the bands and songs which inspire Lovespirals. The program runs from 9pm to midnight.
Here is a Google Translation of Rashi’s recent review of Windblown Kiss.:
The Sound of a Kiss to the Air
By Iohann Rashi, WRTULovespirals Windblown Kiss
THE GROUPING
Lovespirals is the fusion of talents of Anji Bee and Ryan Lum. Anji, is the one in charge to give voice to the project, Ryan music through different types from guitars. Both create a unique sound that explores all type of styles and textures, that include from eclectic and the ethereal thing, until experimentations with I touch of jazz, ambient, folk and world music. A quality that distinguishes them is its expressive freedom in its musical composition, allowing the imagination to travel freely by any route that the sound of its compositions allows it.THE DISC
Windblown Kiss is the turn out to join tastes and influences of both integrates in a unique style that has given the seal them that distinguishes them. We can appreciate in the voice of Anji Bee a sweet and enthusiastic voice that molds its intensity in each cut, showing to us the guitar and enchantment much that can express a voice that without technological complications can fill to its ears and their minds with beautiful stamps. This disc includes 10 songs, plus a hidden additional song at the end of the CD Between the additional enchantments of this disc, a song sung in titled Spanish “Déjame” and “Windblown Kiss” is included who includes letters in English and German, in addition to a tribute to the America band with the song “You girl”.THE RECOMMENDATION
When listening to this album you will notice a mixture of all type of styles, which gives it its particular singularity: it has something of blues, jazz, rock, folk, world music, ethereal, gothic. But it is not any of them. Or perhaps it is all them all simultaneously. That is what is so special about Lovespirals, its capacity to fuse so many influences and turn them something so simple and simultaneously so diverse. Reminding us that music is a freedom of expression, as a kiss sent to the air.Our qualification from 0 to 5: 5 radios
George Zehora has written a cheeky little review of Windblown Kiss for the online zine, Splendid:
It’s no accident that the band’s name sounds vaguely familiar — Lovespirals features guitarist Ryan Lum, late of goth faves Love Spirals Downwards, teamed with vocalist/instrumentalist Anji Bee. The name change isn’t gratuitous, either, for while Lum’s LSD work thrived on ethereal gloominess, Windblown Kiss is going up, up, up. It’s a languid, shimmering pop album — yes, pop — that’s far better suited to breezy beach houses and billowing white linen curtains than introspective poetry and gothic architecture.Bee and Lum have distinguished themselves with a truly elegant work that belies their youthful looks. It’s as polished and professional as most indiepop wants to be, and refreshingly free of the overwrought lyrical imagery favored by the doom and gloom set. Lum’s guitar work (he’s credited with an impressive array of six and 12-string instruments) is expressive and moving, while Bee’s vocals — in English, French, Spanish and German — are distinctive without being showy. Eden’s Sean Bowley adds additional guitar muscle, as well as Elvis-like male vocal counterpoints on a couple of tracks, and Doren Orenstein (Frecoe) provides a bit of sax, which contributes, for better or worse, to the disc’s intermittent New Age vibe.
There’s a little loneliness (“Oh So Long”) and darkness (“Swollen Sea”) — that’s the stuff that sells, after all — but it’s balanced by the overall happiness of the music. And is it my imagination, or is “He Calls Me” pretty much a Christian rock (or at least deity-related-rock) song?
All told, this is a satisfying, surprisingly upbeat effort that’s likely to cause a fair amount of upheaval among LSD’s fan base. Then again, perhaps the time is right for a romantic album that doesn’t have a Romeo and Juliet ending.
For the record, the “He Calls Me” lyrics were actually inspired by a late-night listening session of John Coltrane’s classic album, A Love Supreme.
A brief, but largely positive review of our performance at Portland’s Paris Theatre on August 23rd has appeared on the In Music We Trust site:
Next came the technical difficulties but delicious music of Lovespirals. While guitarist Ryan Lum and singer Anji Bee clearly seemed displeased with how their show was going, it did not stop them from presenting a lovely display of some obvious hard work. Closing out the set with a few jazz numbers, the audience weaved back and forth with Bee as she appeared as a nightclub chanteuse a little out of her element. Bee acknowledged this by remarking, “We don’t know how Mira does it. They’ve got like twelve shows left. This is only our third, and we’re like, ‘O, we want to go home.'” Nevertheless, Lovespirals presented their new material, which is absolutely marvelous, and sparked some interest.
You can read the full piece, which is mostly about the headlining band, Mira, at the In Music We Trust SHOW REVIEW: Mira, Lovespirals and Summerland page. Very happy to have them call this “the sexiest concert bill of 2002, btw.”
DJ Victoria Star of Dark Circles on KZSC Radio reviews Lovespirals’ August 21, 2002 show @ The Pound, San Francisco, CA:
San Francisco Projekt fans were given a spectacular treat last night when artists Mira and Lovespirals joined together for an evening of musical bliss at The Pound. Once again changing musical directions, Anji Bee and Ryan Lum presented their lush new sound as a taunting and swanky invitation to sing along. Taking the stage with a smile that never left her face, Anji’s vocal mastery was particularly poignant on new tracks “Oh So Long” and “Swollen Sea.”
Michael Popke of seaoftranquilty.org reviewed Windblown Kiss:
Like its title, Windblown Kiss — the debut CD from the California duo Lovespirals — wafts from your speakers and caresses your ears with ethereal melodies, sexy voices and a timeless concoction of flamenco, bebop, soul, jazz, folk and rock.
The brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Ryan Lum, the driving force behind the now-defunct ethereal folk band Love Spirals Downward, Lovespirals takes flight with the voice of singer/ songwriter Anji Bee. Her delicately sensual and sometimes breathy vocals combine with Doron Orenstein’s saxophone on opener “Oh So Long,” which sets the tone for slowly smoldering romance. Other tracks feature acoustic guitarist Sean Bowley on lead vocals, who creates a much different soundcape than Bee with his Gordon Lightfoot-meets-Bono voice. In fact, the two songs he sings often make Lovespirals sound like another band entirely.
Lovespirals is not a progressive rock band, but Lum’s proficiency on instruments ranging from six- and 12-string guitars to congas and hammered dulcimer is greater than that of many of his counterparts in so-called “progressive” bands. Windblown Kiss takes some time to sink in, its subtle genius initially getting lost in the ambience. It’s best to play this one alone at night, windows open, with candles flickering, and let your spirit drift aimlessly into the darkness.
Jason Morehead of tollbooth.org reviews the Blisscent 1 compilation featuring new Lovespirals:
However, there are no such complaints with Lovespirals’ “He Calls Me.” Formerly know as Love Spirals Downwards, Lovespirals features a new vocalist and a slightly different direction. Gone are the drum and bliss textures of Flux, instead hinting back the group’s earlier releases, such as Ardor. Spanish-tinged acoustic guitar work and light drums provide the perfect setting for Anji’s beautiful vocals. Even more interestingly, the lyrics point at the song’s more spiritual origins: “His voice is like a song/I hear the melodies/So I learn them, write them down/So I can play them/ Let them understand you are in everything we do/Show them your glory”.
Lee Prosser reviews Windblown Kiss for Jazz Review, July 2002
Ryan Lum and Anji Bee are Lovespirals. With a touch of soft blues and world music motifs, this entry into the smooth jazz category is a surefire hit and should appeal to a wide listening audience.
The music is refreshingly original and likeable, enjoyable in all ways. The 10 selections include “Oh So Long,” “Dejame,” “Windblown Kiss,” “Our Nights,” and “I Can’t See You,” among others.
Ryan Lum is a master of guitar, his techniques fresh and pleasant, and the sensual vocals of Anji Bee perfectly reflect the high quality of the musical compositions. Windblown Kiss is a magical listening experience, filled with sensitivity and beautiful soft jazz sounds.
Lovespirals is topnotch.
See the original review at jazzreview.com
Website and radio station, Gothic Paradise, announced in their latest newsletter: “Added a review and information on the debut album from the newly formed Lovespirals, featuring almost legendary, multi-talented Ryan Lum of Love Spirals Downwards fame. Combined with Anji Bee‘s musical talents and beautiful voice, they’ve managed to create a very captivating sound. Their style reflects only vaguely Ryan’s previous work with Love Spirals Downwards and takes on a more Jazzier tone with touches of Flamenco, Folk and other genres. I like to compare them to the latest release from The Cranes, dreamy and experimental and Julee Cruise, Ethereal and Jazzy. Great stuff and one of the latest releases on Projekt Records!”
Here’s the full review written by Jacob Bogedahl:
I’ve been waiting for this release for a long time and it’s been well worth the wait. I, like other fans of Love Spirals Downwards wasn’t sure of what to expect with this release. I had heard a little bit about it and had a listen of “Dejame” early on before the release. Also being a fan of Julee Cruise and hearing that similarity, I knew I was going to enjoy this album.
Combining so many instruments, different guitars, various styles including Flamenco, Jazz and a bit of Ethereal, everything comes together almost perfectly. The beginning track “Oh so long” really sets the somewhat melancholic yet jazzy mood for the album. The follow-up track “Dejame” is my favorite from this work of art. The Spanish lyrics are pensive and Anji’s vocals are beautiful and thought-provoking. There are some upbeat tracks that have an overall happy mood to them such as “He Calls Me”. “Windblown Kiss” is probably the track that can most closely be compared to the more Gothic Ethereal style with the acoustic elements and the overall dreamy feeling you get while listening to it, another favorite of mine.
Some other great points about this album are the additions of saxophone by Doron Orenstein. Also, the addition of male vocals by Sean Bowley on several tracks. There are other contributions by these artists and others with the entire production, including mastering by Robert Rich. Such a combination of musical styles and instruments along with the talents of this duo is just outright innovative and enjoyable. I think a wide audience will really enjoy this album. I give it a 4 1/2 out of 5 rating, not quite perfect more for my own tastes than for any flaws in the music.
See the Gothic Paradise band bio for Lovespirals at: http://www.gothicparadise.com/lovespirals.htm
Also be sure to check out Gothic Paradise’s Ethereal channel radio programming!
Michael Toland reviews “Windblown Kiss”
The first word that comes to mind on hearing Lovespirals’ Windblown Kiss is sultry. Singer Anji Bee has a seductive coo in her full-bodied voice that immediately catches the ear and stirs the blood; instrumentalist Ryan Lum knows exactly how to frame it with lush guitars, tasteful keyboards and rhythms that draw from jazz and bossa nova as much as rock and pop.
An outgrowth of the Gothic dreampop band, Love Spirals Downwards, Lovespirals cast aside much of the previous incarnation’s psychedelic gloom while retaining its romantic angst. The airy arrangements and acoustic guitars put a new spin on the kind of emotional claustrophobia at which LSD was so adept.
“And it’s oh so long to wait/I lack the patience/Give me strength” Bee sighs in “Oh So Long” as she waits to be reunited with her lover; “Swollen Sea” and “I Can’t See You” also look for beauty in the pain of lost love. But Bee and Lum don’t forget joy: “Our Nights,” “He Calls Me” (which adds an overt spiritual dimension to the proceedings) and the title tune celebrate love instead of dreading it.
Interestingly, Lum and Bee invite guitarist/songwriter Sean Bowley from Eden to contribute vocals and lyrics to two cuts; the results are strong Gothic folk/pop songs, but they don’t fit with the rest of the record. Still, those songs don’t detract from an otherwise consistently beautiful treatise on romantic expression.
For fans of: the Cardigans, Cousteau, Everything But the Girl
Matt Rowe reviews “Windblown Kiss”
Ryan Lum, the mainstay of Lovespirals (formerly Love Spirals Downwards ), is in complete control of this band and its direction. Having flitted in and out of several styles without losing its base sound, Lovespirals comes to an extravagant and pleasing approach in their newest offering, Windblown Kiss. Suzanne Perry, the band’s former chanteuse, is missed but her disappearance is forgiven by the shockingly beautiful and sultry voice of Anji Bee. Windblown Kiss is a satisfying surprise offering from a band that stands out in an ever burgeoning sea of bands for all its gorgeous song arrangements.
This release, like sugar on our tongues, is a sweet indulgence. Every song features the erotically charged vocals of Anji Bee and the slowly building tension of Ryan Lum’s jazzed up and sexy instruments. From the flamenco tones of “Dejame” to the icy hot, night summer breezed, slow drip of “Our Nights”. “Our Nights” is a remembrance piece, a nostalgic stroll through the countryside of our memories to times when love and infatuation meant a dreamy walk in the nightlights of Paris . “He Calls Me” recounts the absolute joy of love& how it clouds yet reveals the irridescence and glory of passion.
“Swollen Sea” speaks of a love that is lost to an ever growing sea of lost loves, the shimmering sadness emanating likes heat waves from a boiling sun. The sheer magnitude of the solitary, after hours, soft push and plea to betrayed love that is “I Can’t See You” with the saxophone giving voice, pleading, pleading to make the departure easier than it is. A better than five minute tune, it engulfs you into its soul and swallows you. But& if you hang on for several minutes of silence, you become refreshed with a bluesy, demo-like tune that merrily intones, “You got me feeling down, you got me feeling so blue”.
The other songs are equally blessed and imbued with the engulfment of love and the sticky displeasure of separation. Ten songs in all with a bonus track buried deep in the afterglow of “I Can’t See You”. Wait a few minutes and it will show up. There are clearly several singles on this CD. My choice? The catchy and haunting “Our Nights “. But “You Girl” and “Dejame” are blissful and are wonderful selections as well. The booklet, a tri-fold six- pager, with photos, notes, credits and lyrics is done well. The photos are perfect, the lyrics readable and the overall package a pleasant acquisition. The production on the CD is clear and well recorded.
This album gives us the gift of remembering what once was good with love and anticipation. It encourages us and gives us hope that it can be that way again. I was swept away on echoed guitar notes, carried through the ether of love and hope, deposited into the womb of affection. And on that journey, I saw slightly swaying bodies, loosely holding onto their lovers; hearts joined to the timekeeping of drums until it was all the same beat. That is the impact of this CD, a soundtrack for what drives us to fall in love, what forms every lip to whisper, to moan. I cannot wait for the next contribution from Lovespirals.
Ryan and Anji …You Rule!! (4 stars)
Marc Tucker reviews Windblown Kiss in Progression Issue #41
Here we have an extremely surprising duet laying out wispy, torchy, lament music based in various Jazz styles (Brazilian, mild Samba, sophisticated New Age, West Coast cool, etc.). As one would guess, given the label, there’s also a quasi-Goth vibe attached.
Anji Bee possesses a melliflously wistful voice well-bedded in wunderkind Ryan Lum’s multi-instrumentality (endless strings, keyboards, percussion, etc.). This is exactly the sort of thing futiley sought in the catalogs of Basia, Lani Hall, Kenia, and the chantueses hyped to be as laid back as they ultimately proved incapable of – Astud Gilberto being the unmatched paradigm. Lum has a perfect ear for languidity, as sensitive to nuance and atmosphere as Bee’s beautiful modulations.
Multi-tracking her was a perfect choice; other voices wouldn’t have been nearly so accomodating. I’ll be amazed if this album doesn’t start showing up on mainstream playlists. It’s the equal of the crop’s best; a great deal better than most. If you long for premium romantic music to de-stress by, while still retaining your brains, this is it.