" 'Best Kept Secret' is a CD full of variety and vigor. While Mai-Ling would probably be considered a classical pianist, there is much more to her. This is thinking music. It is most certainly not a passive experience. It grabs your attention and won't let go until the final track is through. It is a musical journey through the world of a fabulous musician. Prepare to be inspired. The range of emotions explored is great. The songs go from happy to melancholy, from lighthearted to serious. Every single track evokes emotion from the listener imploring the listener to listen on and hear what is next. There is music that exists designed for specific moods. This CD encompasses a large variety of them. Whatever mood you're in, this CD is no doubt appropriate. The start of each new track catches you by surprise because you never know what to expect. I went though an entire spectrum of emotions and thoughts while listening to this record. To me, anyone who can display such talent on one instrument is a tremendous musician. After only one full listen, I love this CD. It is an emotional, eloquent, and tranquil experience that stimulates the senses. If she plays anywhere near my area, I will be sure to attend because I'm sure watching her perform would be enlightening. I find that I have a new appreciation for classical music. Even if you're not a fan of classical music or don't know anything about it, pick up this CD. It will broaden your horizons and open you up to an entire world of great music."

"There are moments for all kinds of music styles and Mai-Ling puts up a gallery of paintings you can look into and wander away,she prefers to write instrumental songs even though her voice gently but silently breaks the surface of the ocean in "Starslider" that is her translation of a poem by William Shakespeare. Mai-Ling is a creative pianist with "Best Kept Secret" as her 10th release featuring music she has scored for 4 theatre productions between 1996-2002. It is music that stretches from classical influences such as Mozart to Ragtime and more modern sounding like Tori Amos. Many out there of the average listener has a compilation of some sorts with relaxing music for special occasions,famous themes made by already money hungry major labels so for a better cause-reach out and support Mai-Ling because you will get the same quality of relaxation but with a better purpose. "

"Best Kept Secret is a nearly entirely instrumental collection--there is just one song here. It has some truly evocative piano pieces: I especially like "Anticipation", which is truly impressive as it evokes just exactly that feeling. "'Love' for 2 flutes and cello" is nearly equally evocative, as is "Fiddler Forbear" (and all the other solely piano pieces, "Evil Theme", "Homage", and "In the Beat of the Firey Drum", are dynamic and just lovely). The only song here, "Starslider--Sonnet #132", is intriguing and energetic, and Mai-Ling's vocals seems stronger than on previous albums. To my mind, the only missteps are "Caliban's Polka", "Dance of the Imps", and "Carnaval", which seem clichéd, almost silly, to my tastes and detract from this collection for me. Overall, though, the intriguing instrumentals carry this collection--the lesser tracks are easily skipped and in any case others may very well enjoy them as much as I do the rest of the album."

"Frances Mai-Ling has created a wonderful artistic CD. It not only appealed to my love of traditional classical music, it was refreshing and had a contemporary feel to it. It isn’t stuffy or off putting, even if you aren’t familiar with the plays that the songs were composed for. Comparing her music to traditional classical music is like the difference between walking through an art gallery and an art museum. In a museum, although you look at an art piece in the same way you would a gallery, there is a feeling of ‘do not touch’ or that you are admiring something of the past…something finished forever. An art gallery feels alive! You feel a part of it and want to take things home for yourself---and you CAN---so that you can actually enjoy the art yourself over and over again and make it intimately yours. Her ‘gallery’ approach is truly inspiring. Allow Frances Mai-Ling to share her Best Kept Secret with you so that you can intimately enjoy it for years to come! It's truly one of a kind."