I've started recording my latest  project, and it is scheduled to be released in November. I'm grateful to Andreas Hellingh for me giving this opportunity to bring you up to date on what I've been doing since "No Regrets."

The support and encourgement of my fans across Europe mean a great deal to me.  During the period after Gold Circle (the company that first put out, "No Regrets") went out of business, I was certainly buoyed by the fact that so many people were listening to my music!  Because I got no reports (or revenue) from the label, the only way I could keep up was through the internet.  And what surprises I found!   My music was being played all across Great Britain, as well as Finland, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and even Hong Kong.  So I thank all of you and hope you'll stayed tuned for my next project.

"Setting New Standards", will give me a chance to explore the roots of my music exposure.   Being the the South, much of my first music experience was gospel at my Baptist church.   At home I had older brothers who only played jazz music, and very little R&B or soul music.  But those two music genres form the basis of my musical exploration on this next project.

I wanted to pay tribute to some of the great standards that I have come to know, so among the songs you'll hear will be, "Time After Time", as well as the beautifully haunting, "You Are Too Beautiful."  Of course, with arrangements being done by both Phil Davis(www.phdproductions.net,) and Kenny Banks (www.kennybanks.com), each song has a twist or two that makes it sound brand new, yet still respects its classic form.

We're also excited about the arrangements of a couple of Negro Spirituals, which were songs of hope and praise written during and immediately after the years of slavery in the U.S. (mid 1800's).  "Wade in the Water", produced and arranged by Phil, features the outstanding percussive talents of "L'il" John Roberts, who has toured and/or recorded with Janet Jackson, Rachelle Ferrell, Musiq Soulchild, and Al Jarreau, among others.   The swinging, "Since I Laid my Burdens Down", was arranged by Kenny Banks.  It's been a great crowd pleaser here for audiences in Atlanta as well as New York, and I'm hoping you'll be bobbing your head and patting your feet when you hear it, too.

And of course, I'm very excited about my originals, one of which is entitled, "Cool Blue Water."  I love it, and it's a rhythmic departure from anything I've done previously.  Can't wait for you to hear it.

My CD will be available online at www.kathleenbertrand.com sometime in November.  We're working through details for placment on CDnow as well as Amazon.   Andreas will be THE FIRST to have it, so stay tuned to his site for the exact release date, or check back with me.   Be sure and buy it and tell your friends!! I look forward to hearing from you...

All the best to you,
Kathleen Bertrand

Article written by Kathleen Bertrand - September, 2005.
© 2005 The Soul of Amsterdam/Kathleen Bertrand