Bond

Artist : bond Album : Classified (Universal Music)

Bond gave a highly charged performance during its live concert here two years ago. It was about exuberant music and a vigorous stage act that oozed wild sexuality.

Clearly, there IS more to the string quarter than being the classical Spice Girls.

The four sylphs are back, with a sophomore album which is, like the first single put it, explosive. Still offering a classical crossover, the general mood of this record is upbeat and full of excitement.

The quartet incorporates their basis of classical music with African, electro, Latin and hip hop beats.

Some classical works are still inserted, such as Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings and snippets of Swan Lake and the Nutcracker. They are also joined by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

There is no solo playing or complicated arrangement, yet it is not light either. The result is simply lush and energizing.

-- Hera Diani