Singer, songwriter and guitarist Feona Lim from Edmonton, Alberta, joined with pianist Elizabeth Patterson from Victoria, British Columbia, Rachael Monteith, a passionate drummer from Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, and the only male band member, John Haynes, from Austin, Texas, to form Lotus. The Vancouver-based group makes an exciting uptempo sound spiced with beautiful voices and lyrical airs.

Their first album Better Day features 10 self-crafted songs by Lim, best to listen to when you wish to relax and chill out or in a bar atmosphere. The musicians are very talented and the CD hosts a couple of great guest musicians as well.

The first track "Jadie" is hauntingly beautiful; Lim's lead vocals and Haynes' mandolin make this song my favourite track of the album. "The mandolin gives the music of Lotus a nice Texas twang," says Lim. Another highlight is the title track with its brilliant rhythm changes perfectly interpreted by Monteith. Flute, piano and bass guitar take alternatively the lead and support the lovely singing.

The music of Lotus covers a wide range of styles, from melancholic ballads accompanied by guitar, harmonica and mandolin to rhythmic and rocky songs dominated by the drums and the bass; the best part being always the beautiful lead and harmony vocals.

Lotus is currently recording its second album. I'm curious how their music develops and what impact the fusion of the different influences from the Caribbean, Texas and Canada will have on their music.

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