Recently a considerably different spin was put on “Leaf,” when it emerged in two different remixes, “King Britt Scuba Mix,” and “King Britt Scuba Ambient Mix.” King Britt an American from Philadelphia possesses a long sheet of music credentials including, DJ, music producer, bandleader, composer and scoring music for films. He also toured with the Digable Planets under the pseudonym ‘Silkworm’. He was invited by jazz label Verve Records to contribute to the project Verve remixed.

At first, it was difficult for Lindström to let somebody else remix her song. “I really worked hard for this album and it was close to me. It was a part of me. After awhile it seemed to have its own life. After communicating with King Britt numerous times, she decided to give him creative control over the remix of “Leaf.”

“It is very far from what I usually do, and the kind of music that I listen to, but I thought it was really cool. I think that he did a good job. I am really happy about that. It is released exclusively on iTunes,” she says.

Not all of the material that Lindstrom records and performs is original. On her CD Whistling Away The Dark, she borrowed from the Henri Mancini tune of the same name. The song was originally sung by Julie Andrews for the 1970 movie Darling Lili. Lindstrom’s interpretation however, was inspired by a different singer. “The first time that I heard “Whistling Away The Dark,” was when Abbey Lincoln sung it. I love her voice and she has meant a lot to me. That’s what made me want to sing it,” she says.

The CD Whistling Away The Dark pays tribute to standards such as Frank Sinatra’s “My One And Only Love,” (Robert Mellin/Guy Wood), “You Go To My Head,” (J. Fred Coots/Haven Gillespie), “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was,” (Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart), and “What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life,” written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, and made popular by great songstresses such as Barbra Streisand, Shirley Bassey and Rosemary Clooney. In total, there are fifteen standards on Whistling Away The Dark.

On her 2003 album Walk, Lindstrom recorded the Burt Bacharach/Hal David song, “Trains and Boats and Planes.” It is tough to cover a song etched into the hearts of the American people. It is even more difficult to do, when it comes from the Bacharach/David songbook, but Lindström again proves she has the vocal chops, and has gives us a beautiful reading.

“Burt Bacharach is part of my childhood. I grew up with a lot of jazz and other music, but I always loved Burt Bacharach’s music,” she says.

In reference to “Trains and Boats and Planes,” Lindström says, “I liked the song, but wanted to do something different with it, in a way that felt like me.”

Last June in Sweden, Lindström participated in a five concert tour celebrating the music of Burt Bacharach. The tour which was called Best of Burt Bacharach put the spotlight on Lindstrom and Daniel Lindström (no relation) as singers who fronted the Norrbotten Big Band and the Norrland Opera’s Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Tim Hagans.  Needless to say she considers these concerts to be among some of her more memorable ones.

If you visit Lindström’s myspace site, I guarantee that you will be hooked on her music. You can also visit her website to learn more about this talented singer/songwriter.

Photos by Mats Bäcker ©

Interview by Joe Montague ©

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 September 2007