Shiva Knows is an a cappella quintet based in Maastricht, Netherlands. A combination of professional and part-time singers, the group formed in part due to their love of such a cappella groups as The Real Group and Rajaton. “Everything”, their debut five-track recording, reflects their influences both in repertoire choice and in style. After hearing so many hyper-produced contemporary a cappella recordings, it is refreshing to hear a simple 5-voice ensemble sound again. Blend and intonation is excellent. The ladies in the ensemble, Angele Frissen and Tanja Raich, have a full, bright sound and wide range both in register and dynamic. They are complemented by a sweet-sounding tenor in Jan-Diether van den Berg, a true and accurate bass in Jan Wouter Brunings, and Luc Nelissen doing double-duty as baritone and vocal percussionist.

Being their first album, Shiva Knows have started primarily with songs well-known and recorded in the a cappella scene. Cover songs can be difficult to pull off, especially songs taken from another vocal group: Shiva Knows manages to faithfully and respectfully maintain the original spirit of these pieces. At the same time, they do not resort to mere emulation: this group has its own sound, and they aren’t afraid to make a song their own. Case in point: the addition of percussion and an “updated” sound to the a cappella standard “Chile Con Carne”.

I would love to point out the individual accomplishments of the soloists and group singers, but unfortunately I can’t. This leads to the one complaint with this CD: the lack of detailed credits. A cappella is such a personal form of music, and the listener wants to get to know the singers individually. Hopefully the next printing of the CD (or the next album) will let us get to know the singers even better.

A new group on the scene, Shiva Knows performs regularly throughout Europe. Keep an eye out for them at www.shivaknows.com and in the meantime, enjoy “Everything” they have to offer.

Dylan Bell

Dylan Bell is a performer, arranger and producer of a cappella music.