The voice of Northwest Territories composer/performer Carmen Braden shines out in her debut studio album Ravens, a composite of original songs and chamber music that has Carmen’s northern roots at the heart of each piece. Her musical voice is strongly heard on the album as composer, singer, and performer. With ECMA-winning producer Mark Adam and supporting musicians – most of whom are also based in Canada’s north – Carmen makes a powerful musical statement that overcomes the boundaries between genres.

Ravens places intricate groove beside flowing string quartet, dove-tails jazz-based improvisation into singer-songwriter forms. The album includes several of Carmen’s contemporary chamber works that were originally written for some of Canada’s finest classical performers including James Ehnes, Gryphon Trio, Penderecki Quartet; here they are interpreted by northern performers and recorded in Yellowknife, NWT. All tracks were crafted with a studio pop sound that echoes qualities of the sub-Arctic: up-close, intimate, and clear. In a bold yet gentle manner, the music of Carmen Braden in Ravens moves the listener through songs and sounds that are at times subtle and rich, and at other times clear and simple.