A bank heist, a dead bride, the Mayor crashing her car into the local bowling alley, a farm girl hitch-hiking to New York City and a fellow who just won't quit trying to off himself. What do these sordid characters have in common? Ladies & gentlemen, I give you to the characters of "Swagger", the first solo album by Toronto's queen of acoustic bop, Erin Smith. After many years of touring, recording and fronting the popular funk outfit named for its lead singer (Erin Smith Band), Smith has stepped out on her own to reveal a pocketful of gems she has written over the past year. Tiring of writing music strictly designed for the funk-soul crowd, Smith began to envision an album that would be a mixed bag of creaky jazz ballads, tin-pan alley show tunes, solid pop and a healthy dose of the funk-soul people know and love. After visiting several studios and producers, Smith chose to record with Hamilton musician Michael Birthelmer at his Chatham Garden Studio. Known for his stunning Civil War songs, Birthelmer seemed like the perfect match to achieve the raw and rusty vibe that Smith was looking for. The results speak for themselves. Featuring appearances by Melissa McClelland, Janine Stoll and Lisa Winn (Erin's band mates in the Ladybird Sideshow), duet performances with Johan Hultqvist of Toronto afrobeat orchestra Mr. Something Something and stand-up bass, clarinet & saxophone parts by Liam Smith and John MacLean (of the Erin Smith Band), Erin could not be more pleased about the company she kept in the studio. Erin's throaty alto is brimming with soul and an understated joy. Her aching delivery rings true as each song and story unfolds and threads of her tales of tough gals and their whiskey-soaked days come to life. This gal has one hell of an imagination - the canvas and the future looks wild and bright. Have a look.