soothing, hip and oh so '60s, thanks also to multi-instrumentalist Greg Kurstin — the Bird. It's on his wings that the album takes flight, referencing everything from tropicalia to jazz to electronic music. "Getz Au Go-Go" it isn't, but the 10-song disc is lovely just the same.  Full text...

Over the course of 10 tracks, The Bird And The Bee dips in and out of sonic realms, from '60s tropicalia to straight-up R&B (on the excellent "Because"), though the jazz influence remains strong throughout—George and jazz-piano prodigy Kurstin did, after all, bond over a love of playing standards, and they signed to Blue Note.  Full text...

The Bird and the Bee deserves the two or three spins it takes to become a fast favourite. The first time, these songs sound like catchy pop (and little more); the second, uncannily familiar; the third, they come together to form an endearingly confluent and pleasingly unconventional electronic pop record. Give these guys a listen.  Full text...

Their self-titled debut album has a certain lounge-inspired laziness, but with sharp incisors that cut through the easiness with enough of an edge to keep you from becoming lost in your martini. Kitsch is all fine and good, but George and Kurstin have something far more rewarding—good songs.   Full text...

It's a very light-hearted record, most of the time, sparkly and true to the album's cover—blue skies and kids catching butterflies.  Full text...

The songs rarely seem to reach beyond serving as mere background music-- ambient decoration for commerce and cocktails, mostly lacking in the adventure and innovation that was once (perhaps mythically) an essential prerequisite of jazz.  Full text...