Lin Di and and her band Cold Fairyland are my discoverys of the year 2009. Actually, I am their discovery, because they found me themselfs on myspace. I don't know which of by favorite bands that I have in "my friends" on myspace we share, maybe more then one. So they invited me to be their friend. I got to their page and was flabbergasted by the sound and look, and of course  by the mix of progressive rock and Chinese music tradition. It worked for me. So, I accepted the friendship of course, and forgot it. You know, everyday routine etc. But thanks to their persistence, I was reminded of their existance once again. They have sent me greetings on my birthday. When somebody else you don't like would do it, I'd say: "Spam". Now I say: "Clever!". Because it was my birthday, and I was in a mood for a present. So I went directly to cdbaby and bought what was available: Lin Di's solo project "Meet in Secret Garden" and Cold Fairyland's "Seeds on the Ground". When I got the cd's and had a closer look to the music, I found both of them fantastic albums, but this one, the Secret Garden, charms me most. It has something from Laurie Anderson, Loreena McKennitt and Anja Garbarek, the three very original female artists I admire very much. Lin Di, welcome in my world!
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Lin Di is a co-founder of the exceptional Chinese band Cold Fairyland where she plays keyboards, pipa and sings the lead vocals. More than that she is a principal architect of the group's very unique sound. But she recently set aside time to express a different side of her creativity in the form of a solo album; “Meet In Secret Garden”.  Whereas the band’s music centers on it’s member’s virtuoso playing abilities in dramatic and technically demanding songs, here Lin Di explores a little more placid side. Which is not to say that the music here is boring or simple. Far from it. The songs are sophisticated, interestingly arranged and her decisions in choosing her keyboard colors are impeccable. She has one of my favorite voices in contemporary music with a sound that is soft and sensual. The songs here are split between those sung in English and Chinese but she expresses herself well in either language. The highlights include her ode to her beloved kitten Lumi, a new version of the Cold Fairyland song “3 AM” and terrific dance track called “Counting”. If you are already a fan of Cold Fairyland then I’m sure you’ll enjoy this record. If you’ve never heard her and are looking for something a little different, then I think this is a great recording to take a chance on.
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