Dayna Manning Volume 1 (EMI)

A new voice on Canada's folk circuit, Stratford, Ontario's Dayna Manning's guitar playing is only outweighed by her powerful voice. Although citing influences such as Joni Mitchell and Tom Petty, her style is much more reminiscent of pre-pretension Sinead O'Connor. Backed by such musicians as her parents and Sean Lennon, this album occasionally falters due to over-production and heavy-handed orchestrations, but the lot is saved by Manning's oft-times whimsical lyrics. 8.5/10 (Michel Thibodeau)

Jean Beaudet Musiques interieures (DSM/Unidisc)

Frédéric Alarie Vision (DSM/Unidisc)

The Beaudet session has been well worth the wait! This is a superior trio session with bassist Daniel Lessard and drummer Michel Ratté adding much to the proceedings. Alarie's band is aptly called Bass Section and the leader's bottom-heavy bass is joined by drummer Claude Lavergne, trombonist Michel Ouellet and Christopher Smith on bass trombone, tuba and euphonium. A most interesting set of music. Beaudet 9.5/10 Alarie 9/10 (Len Dobbin)