The Atlantic String Machine, an ensemble of five string players who perform a wide ranging repertoire of music from Vivaldi to Piazzolla, is pleased to announce the release of its debut CD, Lost Time. Recorded in Rice Point, Prince Edward Island, at the beautifully renovated church known as Harrington House, this album features the stellar musicianship and eclectic repertoire for which the group has become known. The recording was engineered, mixed, mastered and produced by multiple Juno Award winning producer John D. S. Adams, of Mahone Bay, N.S. The Atlantic String Machine was formed in April 2015 and is based on Prince Edward Island, Canada. The group is made up of five musicians with considerable professional experience in a number of musical genres, having performed worldwide with internationally recognized symphony and chamber orchestras, ensembles, bands and individual artists. They have recently joined together to present a wide range of music from classical to jazz, pop, world music and their own compositions. Since their inception, the Atlantic String Machine have performed numerous concerts including sold out houses at the Watermark Theatre in Rustico, Harrington House in Rice Point and the Haviland Club in Charlottetown. The first year’s feature performances have included collaborations with well-known Newfoundland jazz guitarist Duane Andrews, Charlottetown’s dynamic vocal ensemble Sirens and Dr. Karem Simon, as part of the UPEI Recital Series. Recent performances include appearances with Newfoundland folk group The Once as part of the opening concert for the Indian River Festival and a Small Halls Festival performance with Newfoundland folksinger Matthew Byrne. In addition to those performance, ASM produced its own season of concerts at Harrington House, St. Paul’s Anglican Church and the Haviland Club, as well as a concert at Bites Cafe in Hampton. Review – Atlantic String Machine, March 6 2016, Haviland Club, Charlottetown As they begin Astor Piazolla’s Libertango, the five members of the Atlantic String Machine breathe in as one, duck their heads simultaneously and begin to play. If it was not already clear from their first two selections, it is here; these musicians play with one heart. In the scant year since its inception, this quintet has broken boundaries and wowed audiences. Anyone expecting traditional string quintet renditions and interpretations is in for a surprise. Whether they are reimagining Beatles music or playing works more traditionally meant for a larger string orchestra – like Mozart’s Divertimento – their sound is captivating and completely original. It can come down, to some extent, to the work of the arrangers – Sean Kemp and Natalie Williams Calhoun. In Williams Calhoun’s interpretation of the Beatle’s classic, Here, There and Everywhere cello and violin trade the lead so seamlessly that it’s hard to catch them at it. The result is smooth, but with a lilt that seems to characterize all the music the groups puts its bows to. Similarly in Paganini’s Diablo, 24th Caprice – arranged by Kemp – where the music spins so fast and the musical generosity is so complete that it’s hard to keep track of who’s on first. Not that it matters – Louis Garson’s bass provides a strong percussive anchor to the work. When it’s all working perfectly, it feels as if the string machine is very aptly named. Most exciting is the groups willingness and ability to take on the music of so many genres. This concert featured popular music, tango, traditional fiddle music, Bach and (surprisingly and memorably) the theme from the movie Frozen. What’s interesting, though, is that each piece has been given an undeniable Atlantic String Machine stamp. It’s hard to find the exact word to describe it, though “joy” comes awfully close. Even in pieces that are more somber and more deliberate (the andante from Mozart’s Divertimento, Eleanor Rigby) there is a certain delight in every piece; these musicians are in love with their music and it shows. Their continuing efforts to share and to educate speak to the generosity they show to each other on stage and to the audience. They are about to record their first record and will, at the end of theprocess, share that experience in a special concert. And another concert will feature movie themes, in part as suggested by their fans. Seeing the Atlantic String Machine is a complete musical education. They love the music, they explain – both musically and in words – why they love it, they ask us to hear it with fresh ears and to love it, too. -Ann Thurlow Members of the ASM have performed / recorded with: English Chamber Orchestra, Academy of St. Martin’s in the Fields, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National and Scottish Chamber Orchestras, BBC Concert Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, English National Ballet Orchestra, English Touring Opera Co. Orchestra, Saskia Piano Trio National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada, Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, National Ballet of Canada Orchestra, Hamilton Philharmonic, Kitchener- Waterloo Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra London (Canada), Symphony Nova Scotia, Spirit of the Dance, Charlottetown Festival Orchestra, Phantom of the Opera: London (UK) and Toronto Productions London (UK) Productions: Carmen Jones, My Fair Lady, Carousel, Toronto Productions: Crazy for You, The Lion King and Sound of Music Some of the Individual Artists that ASM Members have performed / recorded with include: Anne Murray, Barbara Streisand, Elaine Page, Sarah Slean, Chantel Kreviazuk, Steven Page, Ray Price, Ron Sexsmith, Lennie Gallant, The Three Tenors, Shirley Bassey, Moody Blues, Andrea Bocelli