Singer and songwriter Anders Holst is a new and unique voice in smooth, sensual harmonies and deeply felt, reflective lyrics that take his romantic ballads far beyond the mannered, predictable music that passes for "love songs" today. In allowing himself to explore and reveal his own convictions and contradictions, optimism and disillusionment, strengths and vulnerabilities, he invites the listener to join him in his/her own journey of self-discovery.

Anders describes his own life journey as a succession of periods of calm when he was content in the choices he had made, and then "all of a sudden everything comes into focus and you have to make up your mind then and there" to listen to the hidden signals, take a chance, cross a border.
"A time comes when something happens that cannot be stopped, and I find myself crossing a border, thinking out of the box, opening myself to myself."

The "big leap" that in 2001 catapulted Anders from a highly successful career as a management consultant in Stockholm, Paris, and New York into a passionate musical artisan and performer occurred when he awoke to the fact that he could no longer ignore the quiet signal that told him it was time to cross yet another border and explore the musical thread of his life, which began when he wrote his first song at age ten, When the Raining Starts.
"Sometimes I think that all the songs I have listened to throughout my life are somehow stored in a subconscious reservoir . . . a kind of musical recycling of fragments, expressions, emotions, and harmonies.”

It would be an understatement to say that that reservoir is filled to the brim with musical genres that both precede and span his own lifetime -- classical, big band, smooth jazz, rock and roll, disco, pop, heavy metal, reggae, folk, even Broadway musicals. And of course, the music of his own native Sweden. Nothing Anders Holst writes is an imitation of some other musical style or performer. Every song is uniquely personal, an intimate, revealing reflection of his own complex inner nature. From the nostalgic ballad, Anfield Road:
"I believe there's a way
To draw from the past
Make your choice
Project your voice into the future
From fear of flying
To the joy of trying
With a strength from a place inside of you."

Anders describes his music as "melodic, romantic songs from the middle of life," arising from the mellow, mature perspective we all come to as we let go the self-deceiving imaginings of young, untried love and embrace the beauty and wisdom to be found in its complexities:
"You, and diamond driven rain
Blowing thru my mind
New York City
Indian summer morning
Dawn, so quietly has gone
Left us in a kind of blue and mellow
Ellington state of mind
What now...
Do you feel my love tonight, my love?
What now...
These are the times we used to know."
-- Verrazano Bridge

What sets Anders Holst apart is not only the quality and honesty of his work, but a strong, confident character that is not afraid to throw caution to the winds at age forty-eight and steer a new course as a professional singer and songwriter. He does not back off from a challenge, be it pulling up stakes and exploring the very different cultures and lifestyles of Stockholm, Paris, and New York, or taking leave of the corporate world to join the ranks of ambitious, optimistic musicians, writers, and artists who can no longer ignore the inner voice that tells them there is something more, something new out there waiting, if only they have the courage to open themselves up to it.

Whether Anders is devoting part of his time to a non-profit Swedish educational foundation from his home in New York City, practicing and recording in his studio in his second home in the Hamptons, sailing, jogging ("boring but I have to do it"), or trying to improve his handicap on the golf course, this attractive charismatic man lives by the credo that what makes life truly adventurous and meaningful is loving what you do, embracing transformation, and, now, bringing a new listening public along on that wonderful journey through his unique romantic melodies.
"Looking back
from a distance
You realize how far you have traveled
The world
was not
where it was
supposed to be
It never
is."

Reviews

This debut offering buy the soulful, deep voiced Swedish born singer, songwriter and producer may only be five tracks long but its soaring melodies, rich production texture and clever wistful lyrics pack an emotional punch equal to most full-length collections

Recorded in Stockholm and in Holst’s adopted home in New York, Holsts’ songs covers numerous themes starting with the bright, determined optimism of “Never Look Back” (which rich orchestral flavors invoke classical influences); followed by the magical romance of “Love Me Like A River”, a sweeping dramatic track which brings to mind both Sting and Seal.

Then there is the introspective, spiritual minded ballad “Anfield Road” and “Verrazano Bridge” a nostalgic journey through his adopted hometown that beautifully blends pop, jazz, classical and chill flavors.

“Verrazano Bridge” which couples romantic loss with the mood of the city post 9/11, has some of the disc’s most colorful lyrics that reflect Holst love of jazz: ”Left us in a kind of blue and mellow Ellingtonian state of mind…. fades into the mist just like a Benny Goodman record on the radio”.

The final track “Until the End of Time” is a sweet breezy valentine to a loved one featuring the very smooth jazz friendly harmony sax lines of Gerald Albright, guitar by Paul Jackson Jr. and a wonderful flute solo by Magnus Lindgren.

Smooth jazz listeners will be listening to these five tracks over and over while waiting for more from this remarkable diverse and undeniable seductive vocal talent.
JONATHAN WIDRAN, SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS

"Anders Holst, a Swedish singer, makes this a standout collection of world music with jazz motifs that will linger in the jazz listener's mind. Tenor saxophonist Gerald Albright performs on the song, "Until The End of Time. Mats Bystrom is a special treat with his innovative piano styling. An excellent listening experience, Anders Holst and his CD collection, Five, is exceptional entertainment. Highly recommended"
LEE PROSSER, JAZZREVIEW.COM



"There is something of Michael Franks in his voice, something reminiscent of Peter Skellern and, hidden in there somewhere perhaps, the wistfulness of Leonard Cohen. Anders Holst, who is now based in New York, has co-composed four of the five tracks and the entire album is characterized by consistently excellent production.... there deserves to be a place for an album like 'Five' that dares to be different.
DENIS POOLE, SMOOTHVIBES.COM



"Soulful Swedish singer/songwriter Anders Holst blends smoky jazz with the adult contemporary melodicism of Sting, Seal, and Leonard Cohen. Recorded in his native Stockholm, as well as New York City, his five-song debut EP, titled simply Five, was released on Unheard of Music in 2004. Introspective, spiritual, and romantic, Five deftly weaves pop, jazz, and classical into a smooth style all its own."
JAMES CHRISTOPHER MONGER, ALL MUSIC GUIDE



"... he has certainly succeeded in producing a fine debut EP that's perfect for a romantic evening on the roof with some martinis and a city skyline for a backdrop. Whether that skyline is in Stockholm or New York City"
ROBERT BURKE, BLOGCRITICS.ORG



"His single is just what AC radio has missed and is in need of: A track that unequivocally articulates the softer side of romance, and the harder side of masculinity - with no apologies. It's not an appeal or a request, it's a demand. Love Me Like A River!


His ability to switch from rich baritone to soulful tenor, with ease and comfort, is illuminated by the dreamy string arrangement which is nicely accented by the bevy of background babes who complement his machismo and add a sensuality that feels like silk laying gently upon steel."

GIAN FIERO, MUSESMUSE.COM