best cd of the month - november

double take's christmas album has plenty of audiophilia credentials

the last double take's album (their debut) was such a marvellous recording that even audiophiles picked them up without a complaint.

returning with their 2nd album, a christmas album, this recording is even better than the first. roger wang, the sabahan guitarist and recording engineer, must have been an audiophile in his previous life to come out with such a gem of recording.

very warm, vivid, airy and pristine guitar sound, coupled with mia palencia's (the female vocalist) honey-toasted and smokey voice, you have a combination that never fails to entertain. if you system has good presence, you should have mia presented in a very palpable manner. it is as good as hearing her sing live! also, if your system fails to capture the liveliness, crispiness and attack of the guitar, then something is definitely wrong.

roger has refreshing arrangements for some of these old-time christmas songs, while mia penned two very sweet songs specially about christmas in malaysia.

something that all malaysians should be proud of.