"[The band's concert offered] the delightful discovery of the contemporary jazz lyrics and intricate compositions of Smith's original jazz tunes...an intoxicating musical experience. ...Smith and his band exude a pure jazz ingenuity." - Lynn Peppas, [+]"[The band's concert offered] the delightful discovery of the contemporary jazz lyrics and intricate compositions of Smith's original jazz tunes...an intoxicating musical experience. ...Smith and his band exude a pure jazz ingenuity." - Lynn Peppas, Welland Tribune, March 7, 2005
"The music is big-band swing in the Basie and Ellington tradition, with a little Latin jazz and R & B thrown in for good measure, yet it has enough twists and tempo changes to make it ...contemporary."
- Brent Raynor, NOW Magazine, Dec. 16, 2004
"How many big bands play original music and employ singers? The Steamers do, and bandleader Smith, who plays guitar for the outfit, has moved into the songwriting mode with a vengeance here, penning lyrics for seven of 11 compositions ... Handling vocals are up-and-comers Deekaye Ibomeka and Michelle Doyle while arrangers include bandsmen, notably Andrew Jones. All the instrumental pieces work well, Bernie Senensky positively bubbling on the opening "Jaguar Dance" and the ensemble drives hard on other smart cuts like "Rhythm Pills & Spare Change" and "Steam Engine." Senensky and trumpeter Jake Wilkinson frequently solo, and trombonist Gord Myers is particularly fluent on "Pot of Tears." Swinging songs with words work, especially "Let's Pretend It's Love" with Ibomeka's big voice just right and "I Will Not Love," an easy swinger [sung by Doyle]."
- Geoff Chapman, Toronto Star, Dec. 16, 2004
"...a band that's a cross between the jazz orchestras of Count Basie and Dave Holland - with a bit of Tom Waits thrown into the mix. .. features two up-and-coming vocalists, Michelle Doyle and Deekaye Ibomeka, who handle the swing, samba, bossa, and Celtic jazz styles with ease. .. Fine solo work is heard by Jake Wilkinson on trumpet, Andy Ballantyne on alto and soprano sax, and pianist Bernie Senensky. Joel Haynes is on drums.... Bandleader and composer/lyricist Whitney Smith describes the Big Steam Band's recent transition: "Once we stepped out of playing our roots music (late 50s rat-pack swing) and started playing our own music, people started to take more notice. The new album is about exploring how far a big band can push the envelope without departing completely from those roots."
- toronto.com, Dec. 16, 2004
"Holly Cole and Louise Pit
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