With modern grooves, Brazilian harmonic structures, Rock & Roll attitudes, and totally fresh lyrics, triple threat (singer/songwriter/producer) Carla Hassett creates a unique sound that Music Connection Magazine calls "captivating." On first listen, one can imagine an urban Bebel Gilberto or perhaps Sheryl Crow if she were a "Brasileira!" Carla's background includes recording or touring with artists like Billy Idol, Gino Vannelli, Michael Bublé , John Anderson, Sergio Mendez, Thomas Dolby, REO Speedwagon, Mexico's Christian Castro, Joy Enriquez, Brazil's Marcelo Augusto, Roy Shakked (Brazil Remixed 1&2). Carla also recorded the Disney Catalogue for the Spanish and Brazilian markets as well as numerous national commercials, film, and TV shows including, an emmy nominated track for film composer Mark Snow (X-files) and, most recently, the soundtrack to the Fox hit series Johnny Zero. In the Brazilian market, Carla was the lyricist for the Disney Channel jingle and her track "Teu Olhar" was featured on the SBT Network show "Amor E Odio." The track shares a spot with some of Brazil's most prominent recording artists. Last December Carla performed with Norah Jones in NYC and she is currently slated to appear at an LA Music Awards showcase in March. Carla is the director and host of the Los Angeles chapter of Chick Singer Night, a monthly forum for female songwriters, and also teaches voice and piano at Flea's Silverlake Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles. The critics are saying: Having toured or recorded with the likes of Michael Buble, Billy Idol, Thomas Dolby, Mark Snow (X-Files people!), and Gino Vannelli among others, Carla Hassett is no stranger to talented individuals or fame. She better get used to it even more with this EP's strong songs that tilt in a decided Brazilian slant as she mixes in worldbeat, singer/songwriter rock, and pop's mastery of catchiness. - J-Sin/ Smother.net Carla Hassett - FIRST: This is a really nice lil' CD, with some very unique songwriting by Carla... I mean, there is some "standard" fare in there, too, but she has a very original way (both lyrically, & rhythmically) of communicating pure energy! I'm assuming that the jazzy/Latino elements come from her heritage she has... born in Brazil (Sao Paulo), but raised in th' U.S. Lil' pieces of street rap are included in track 3, "Randy", but cut 1, "Not Real Love" sound like it was recorded with someone like Sergio Mendez (who she has recorded with before, too). One of the other influences I noticed on the promo sheet was Thomas Dolby... which explains a lot (I think) about why she's able to "craft" songs that really hold my ear. That's hard for a lyrical artist to do these days, because so much of the "word" stuff tends to sound "just like the others". That is NOT true with Carla's music, though... my favorite track is "Randy" - because the lyrics are entwined with the rhythm with superb precision. It's clear from my first/second & third spins of her album that she writes with a total independence, not letting any rules or restrictions hold her back... & (as most of you know) when that is combined with FIRE like she has, it's a WINNING combo. This is one of my favorite CD's yet this year... it gets the "PICK" of this issue for "most original music", as well as a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating! GREAT stuff, a definite KEEPER! --Improvijazzation Nation http://scoobiedavis.blogspot.com/ Sunday, April 17, 2005 Posted 9:03 AM by Scoobie Davis Day Off Going to WorldFest. UPDATE: I had a blast at WorldFest. There was a fashion show by the Vegan Vixens. Hubba Hubba! There was great music. Favorites: Carla Hassett and Lisa Gay and Thrill. There's a new documentary about Howard Lyman. The Artivist Film Festival sounds great. Ed Begley Jr. has an all-purpose cleaner. I met some great people. My "Don't Blame. I voted for Kerry" shirt elicited a lot of positive comments. People kept asking me where I got it; I got it here. May 2005 THIS ISSUE > ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT > GROOVEOUT SHORTS - WEB ONLY And more divas... Martha Wainwright, Carla Hassett, Alana Davis, and mucho mas Carla Hassett_First_Appropriately titled, First is singer/songwriter Carla Hassett's debut EP. She has previously toured as a backup singer with Billy Idol, Sergio Mendez, and REO Speedwagon before diving into producing her own music. Comprised of five songs, First ebbs and flows with world-pop textures, rock, and rhythms inspired by her native Brazil. This is intelligent chill/lounge pop, sliding into smooth jazz that encourages the listener to relax and unwind. While very well recorded and well produced, the only fault to an otherwise impressive first effort is that melody is often sacrificed for the prominent percussion. The lyrics seem to need more sonic space to be fully appreciated. Fortunately, the grooves change and evolve, and her good vocal performances keep the music from becoming repetitive and fading into background. On the whole, a very pleasant listen. From Some Imagination Music (www.carlahassett.com). -Anna Pomeroy VH1 Save The Music"Song of the Year" suggested artist March 2005