GENUINE Review - “The Advertiser” (UK) 6 November 2009 by Pete Smith: " Intelligent lyrics, melodic ballads, beautiful performances both vocally and instrumentally – what more could one ask? All this can be heard on “Genuine”, the current album from German song stylist Sylkie Monoff. The award winning singer/writer spends her time in both her native country and Nashville where she collaborates with songwriters who have provided material some of “Music City’s” hottest stars. With thirteen totally original Monoff originals “Genuine” blows like a breath of fresh air on a country scene that is threatening to become somewhat stale. Selecting tracks for illustration is very difficult for each and everyone is worthy of special mention but pushed hard I would cite my favourites as “Can’t Be Worse Than L.A.” (a song I feel destined to become one of my all-time favourites) and “Right At Hello”, with the Native American chant, provided by War Scout, at the beginning and conclusion of the track evoking strong memories of the wonderful Buffy Sainte Marie. This really is one hell of an album, and I do not say that about many contemporary country artists, one deserves to be a big, big success." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Biography: Singer, songwriter, producer Sylkie Monoff may have been born in Germany, but her heart and soul have always had a strong connection to the USA. Influenced by performers such as Emmylou Harris, James Taylor and Neil Young, as a teen Sylkie performed throughout Germany with regional country-rock bands. She recorded and released her first record for Teldec/East West. After marginal success, she decided to sharpen her writing skills and therefore focused on producing songs in her 8-track studio. Shortly thereafter, she was accepted to attend the Pop Music Program at the prestigious Hamburg Musikhochschule. After completing her studies in Hamburg, Sylkie single-handedly landed a recording contract with BMG Ariola. Her debut EP consisted of 3 original compositions. This was followed by the recording of her album "Harbor in the Night". She not only composed 10 of the 11 compositions, but also co-produced the album. The first single "Don’t" landed in the German airplay charts and two more singles followed. In 1997, Sylkie’s composition "All The Places", recorded by the British duo BND, charted in the German Top 100. It was released world-wide and went gold. In 1998, 2000 and 2003 Sylkie was awarded a Certificate of Achievement by Unisong International Song Contest for each of her compositions "Take It Slow", "Still Here", "The Puzzle" and "Where My Rivers Runs". Sylkie has toured throughout Europe playing support to artists such as Ian Matthews (Plainsong) and Supercharge and has performed with Julian Dawson, Grammy Award winner Albert Lee and rock'n'roll legend Spencer Davis. She spends part of the year in Nashville performing and co-writing with various acknowledged staff writers such as Curtis Lance (Don’t happen twice, Kenny Chesney), Gilles Godard (Patty Loveless, Tracy Byrd, Ricky Skaggs, Blackhawk), Grammy-Award winner Don Rollins (It’s 5 o’clock somewhere/Alan Jackson+Jimmy Buffett), Charley Stefl (The Fool, LeeAnn Womack) and Brent Baxter (Monday Morning Church/ Alan Jackson). Sylkie Monoff has just finished her new album “GENUINE” in Nashville, a project she is especially proud of. She wrote all 13 songs and also produced herself, with the album featuring some of the world’s top studio musicians such as Nashville’s first-call drummer Eddie Bayers and guitarist Brent Mason. She says: “This time my main goal was to work with people that are truly close to me. I wanted the album to sound like friends making music together and having a good time. And that’s what it was all the way! Nashville is like home. Finally, I can be musically who I really am and it feels so right.” "GENUINE" reflects the bubbly creativity of an outstanding performer and songwriter. Its fresh and unique sound combines country, rock and pop elements and offers a sparkling collection of radio-oriented song material.