Skii

I’m never sure if it’s the voice, the words or the music that gets under my skin first with Skii’s music… The soulfully connected Ms. Harvey delivers an extremely satisfying new release for us intimacy junkies who also happen to love a smoldering fusing of jazz and pop. BOUND BY HISTORY layers one alluring song upon another. The project is lyrically soul bearing, empowering and passionate, while musically it’s melodic, deep and captivating with a fantastic use of brass as well as beautiful sax, piano and guitar solos. The textures of Skii’s soulful voice is truly amazing… the sexy gruffness does not seem to limit her, she has an incredible range that actually gets smoother the higher she reaches. I’m a fan of what I call profound pop, artists like Annie Lennox, Adele and the like always find their way to the top of my iPod… Skii Harvey hits me where I live and I’m certain that there’s something for everyone on BOUND BY HISTORY! ~SANDY SHORE - SmoothJazz.Com

With her immaculate platinum bob and designer specs, Australian singer-songwriter Skii Harvey looks more Prue
and Trude than soul diva. But don’t judge a book by its cover, because as she proves on this, her third album, she’s got a powerhouse voice that lends itself perfectly to bluesy ballads like stunning opener Romeo. Sometimes the arrangements here are slightly too tasteful and restrained for her warm, throaty voice — see single Tell Me, which is
too polite by half. Harvey’s at her best when she’s lending her distinctive vocals to songs that have a personal touch,
like the upbeat belter Redfern, an ode to her home suburb. - Star Online

With her immaculate platinum bob and designer specs, Australian singer-songwriter Skii Harvey looks more Prue
and Trude than soul diva. But don’t judge a book by its cover, because as she proves on this, her third album, she’s got a powerhouse voice that lends itself perfectly to bluesy ballads like stunning opener Romeo. Sometimes the arrangements here are slightly too tasteful and restrained for her warm, throaty voice — see single Tell Me, which is
too polite by half. Harvey’s at her best when she’s lending her distinctive vocals to songs that have a personal touch,
like the upbeat belter Redfern, an ode to her home suburb. - Star Online

Often compared to the strong vocal styles of Anita Baker, Annie Lennox,
Cleo Laine and Tina Turner, Skii has been writing and performing music
her entire life.
A fusion of Jazz, Blues, Urban and Nu-Jazz describes Skii's second
album Foolish Girl - released this month.
Many remember Skii from the 2008 'Make Poverty History' event when
she performed alongside artists such as Lior and Missy Higgins.
Since then, Skii has been recognised by the US Billboard Music Awards,
the UK Songwriting Awards , Producer's Choice for the L.A. Music Awards
and last year, the Australian Songwriters Association (2009).
She describes her music as storytelling. They are stories of what she
knows and what she dreams - In fact the title of her second album refers
to how when you look back and see the roads you could have taken or
when you find yourself stepping onto the wrong path, you are immediately
exposed for the girl (or boy) that you are inside.
In the studio performing live with Skii for the Sunday Performer were
Band members:
Lloyd Harvey (backing vocals) Zana Cohen (backing vocals) David
Pritchard-Blunt (piano) John Bettison (guitar)
Nick Sinclair (bass) Kere Buchanan (drums) Simon Sweeny (trumpet)
Gary Honor (saxophone)
Singer Songwriter Skii Harvey

28 March, 2010 11:06AM AEDT
Performer - Skii Harvey
By June Cowle (Producer, Weekends)
Singer/Songwriter Skii Harvey Joined Simon Marnie in the 702 Studios this week as our Sunday Performer. - ABC Radio Sydney

Reviewed by Lana Hilton
I won't say no to any kind of music - unless the lyrics involve human and/or animal sacrifice -
so of course I said yes to attend the launch of singer/songwriter Skii Harvey's third album
“Bound By History” at Slide Bar on Oxford St.
I don't usually listen to many soul, blues or jazz tunes but I had listened to a few of her songs
online and was excited to be converted…and boy was I!
The live performance was superior to any other concert or gig I've seen before - and I've
been to Ricky Martin!
Skii draws you in with her oozing, charismatic personality and has you entranced throughout
each song. Even the band members couldn't take their eyes off her!
“Gravelly goodness” is one way to describe her smooth, smokey voice; up there with Tina
Turner, Anita Baker and Annie Lennox is another, as she has been compared to in the past.
Slide Bar was the perfect place for such an event with its fabulously ornate, high ceilings,
intimate candlelit tables and low, sultry lighting. You knew you were in for an up-close and
personal night.
In front of an enthusiastic 25-70year old crowd she led us through her life in song, pointing
out the tracks which meant the most to her, those where she emotionally divulges, those
which are her family's favourites and those we could probably all relate to. She made us feel
incredibly welcome by the way she sang to each member of the audience as her sparkling
eyes made their way across the room, and with her obvious passion for her music and her
band.
Skii was grooving along and busting out dance moves during the instrumentals, clearly
having a fantastic time and making sure we paid the proper respects to the highlighted
instrument of the moment. This was so easy to do because the 10-piece band was
amazingly talented and suited her open, honest and creative style.
Each song was cleverly chosen to emphasise her boisterous band and each track
showcased a particular instrument and musician; Clive Lendich on electric guitar, Simon
Sweeny on the trumpet and flugelhorn and David Pritchard Blunt on the piano.
Her backup singers were not forgotten either as she sidled up next to them with a cheeky
wink and shoulder shimmy, inviting them to immerse into the beat.
Her voice is smack-you-in-the-face powerful and envelops everyone in the room, much like
the lyrics of her songs - `Step Back' in particular. My personal favorites were `Tell Me' (of
which she has just released a music video), `Redfern' (where Skii takes us back to her
childhood home in Sydney, listening to the advice of her mother), and `Foolish Girl' (from her
second album of the same name and which has a brilliantly creative music video!).
“Bound By History is the next chapter” says Skii. “It is about being strengthened and
encouraged by your past as well as cautioned. We are all made up of our history both
singularly and collectively but it is how we step into the future that truly counts.”
If you are a fan of soulful tunes set to a brass band, a silky voice and a sexy personality, then
get on the Skii Harvey bandwagon!
Her previous albums “Uncompromising” and “Foolish Girl” are available on iTunes and
at www.skiiharvey.com.au - What's on Sydney

Skii Harvey - Foolish Girl 2008, Skii Harvey
Australian singer/songwriter Skii Harvey is going to knock your socks off. The lifelong singer/songwriter with the platinum looks like she could be a Mrs. Robinson type, but when she opens her mouth it's not the silky sounds of suburbia that emerge but the gritty soul of Tina Turner. Harvey's sophomore album, Foolish Girl is steeped in Soul, Rhythm & Blues and top-notch musicianship.
Foolish Girl opens with the title track, heralded by horns and backup singers emulating a scaled down gospel choir. Harvey sounds a lot like Tina Turner here, from tone to rasp to phrasing. Foolish Girl is a legitimate Pop/R&B song, capable of making a run at Adult Pop charts on this side of the Pacific. Love Remembers has a Motown meets Chicago (the band) feel. Harvey uses her dynamic voice to light up the moment for one of the best songs on the disc. On One Cross, Harvey digs into a meaty ballad about regrets. It's a decent song, but Harvey's voice is just a little too heavy this time around, wearing on the melody and the listener.
Matador takes on a slinky Latin feel with Harvey's worldly voice taking control from the opening line. It's a very catchy arrangement that is sure to get you moving. Harvey's turn at a jazz standard-style tune goes a little awry on Wounded Knee. Loosely using the title from the Dee Brown novel without any real connection to the story. It's a slightly befuddling choice that only seems to get more surreal as it goes on. Harvey's vocal line is decent, but the tune is something of a metaphysical mess that sounds decent musically but falls apart married to the lyrics. Harvey recovers nicely on Cold Wind, a soul/gospel/jazz hybrid that's a pleasing listen and allows Harvey to be at her best vocally. The Way It Was sounds like an R&B ballad you might have heard on the radio in the 1980's from someone like Philip Bailey. It's a lush arrangement with vocal harmonies and horns and turns out to be quite a strong track. Harvey closes out with How Long? (New version), a plodding song that might have been something of an afterthought.
Skii Harvey has a tremendous voice, although there are some things she sounds better on than others. In her lower register and at soft volumes, Harvey's voice is just too heavy to enjoy at times, but her overall sound is undeniable. Foolish Girl is a decent effort; it has its high points and low points but on balance is a highly listenable and enjoyable album. Take some time to check out Skii Harvey
Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)
You can learn more about Skii Harvey at http://www.skiiharvey.com/. You can download Foolish Girl from Amazon.com, or you can purchase physical copies directly from the
band on their website. - Wildy's World

Skii Harvey - Foolish Girl 2008, Skii Harvey
Australian singer/songwriter Skii Harvey is going to knock your socks off. The lifelong singer/songwriter with the platinum looks like she could be a Mrs. Robinson type, but when she opens her mouth it's not the silky sounds of suburbia that emerge but the gritty soul of Tina Turner. Harvey's sophomore album, Foolish Girl is steeped in Soul, Rhythm & Blues and top-notch musicianship.
Foolish Girl opens with the title track, heralded by horns and backup singers emulating a scaled down gospel choir. Harvey sounds a lot like Tina Turner here, from tone to rasp to phrasing. Foolish Girl is a legitimate Pop/R&B song, capable of making a run at Adult Pop charts on this side of the Pacific. Love Remembers has a Motown meets Chicago (the band) feel. Harvey uses her dynamic voice to light up the moment for one of the best songs on the disc. On One Cross, Harvey digs into a meaty ballad about regrets. It's a decent song, but Harvey's voice is just a little too heavy this time around, wearing on the melody and the listener.
Matador takes on a slinky Latin feel with Harvey's worldly voice taking control from the opening line. It's a very catchy arrangement that is sure to get you moving. Harvey's turn at a jazz standard-style tune goes a little awry on Wounded Knee. Loosely using the title from the Dee Brown novel without any real connection to the story. It's a slightly befuddling choice that only seems to get more surreal as it goes on. Harvey's vocal line is decent, but the tune is something of a metaphysical mess that sounds decent musically but falls apart married to the lyrics. Harvey recovers nicely on Cold Wind, a soul/gospel/jazz hybrid that's a pleasing listen and allows Harvey to be at her best vocally. The Way It Was sounds like an R&B ballad you might have heard on the radio in the 1980's from someone like Philip Bailey. It's a lush arrangement with vocal harmonies and horns and turns out to be quite a strong track. Harvey closes out with How Long? (New version), a plodding song that might have been something of an afterthought.
Skii Harvey has a tremendous voice, although there are some things she sounds better on than others. In her lower register and at soft volumes, Harvey's voice is just too heavy to enjoy at times, but her overall sound is undeniable. Foolish Girl is a decent effort; it has its high points and low points but on balance is a highly listenable and enjoyable album. Take some time to check out Skii Harvey
Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)
You can learn more about Skii Harvey at http://www.skiiharvey.com/. You can download Foolish Girl from Amazon.com, or you can purchase physical copies directly from the
band on their website. - Wildy's World

Music: Skii Harvey
By Victoria Hughes on Mar 18, 2010 in Music, Reviews

Slide Nightclub on Oxford St was the fittingly opulent and glamorous venue for the launch of the much-anticipated second album from Skii Harvey.

Skii took to the stage, dazzling in white to join her band for the evening, where she delivered an equally glittering performance. Skii’s fervour for the music she creates and delivers is tangible and, luckily for us, she is visibly delighted about what she does.

Foolish Girl is also the title track and first single from her new album, a collection of songs which Skii describes as “a true journey”. Fans were treated to a premiere of the video for the track, produced by Harvey House Productions.

Foolish Girl is probably the most ‘mainstream’ track on the album. It is more pop than jazz, easy to listen to and undoubtedly will go down well with fans of most mainstream genres. It doesn’t necessarily provoke much thought – although the themes behind it are certainly familiar ones (or is that just me?). It’s an excellent, if not entirely accurate, introduction to Skii’s musical offerings.

Early into the set, Skii sang One Cross – one of her “favourites from the new album”, an altogether heavier, grittier ballad about regrets. I felt at this point that we got to see more of the real artist. This was followed by Matador, which has a bouncy, Latin feel to it. The room and Skii wanted us to dance but sadly our inhibitions wouldn’t allow it.

Halfway through the set, Skii surprised us with a bare bones rendition of one of the album tracks for the 2011 album, Angels. It took some confidence to play this song at such an early stage in its development, but the single guitar and Skii’s voice complemented one another beautifully. I have to admit, I was moved. She has greater visions for this track, and is planning to flesh it out with strings and harps to create an “ethereal feel”. I am looking forward to the result.

Angels was followed by a couple of pieces from Skii accompanying herself on the piano. She delivered Those Eyes, as a stirring duet with her son Lloyd, about whom the song was written. Lloyd sang backing vocals for Skii all evening and their vocals worked superbly together, particularly in the cover of Mr(s) Jones, which was just fantastic.

Skii’s band - a group of individual musicians in their own right – were mind bendingly talented (they had only one rehearsal together for the show), and were clearly inspired by her passion and musical capabilities. There was an obvious mutual respect between all the musicians which resulted in the production of some high quality music.

The album launch was everything it should have been. Fun, sumptuous and a chance for Skii to showcase her remarkable vocal talents to a captivated and enthusiastic audience. - Trespass Magazine

Skii possess' a classic jazz tone to her singing voice Deep and rich with great character. Theres some really interesting blending of blues and jazz going on here. She's a rare find, this one If you enjoy artists like Julia Fordham, Bonnie Raitt and Anita Baker, you'll love Skii Harvey. I even get some early David Bowie flavors from her stylings (Who Im sure was also inspired by jazz and blues greats from yesteryear.) She's definitely an old soul. Im equally as impressed with her writing abilities as I am with her singing Quality, well-crafted compositions that pack an emotional wallop. She's cool, she's deep, she's Skii." ~SANDY SHORE President of www.smoothjazz.com - SANDY SHORE President of www.smoothjazz.com