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***Singer, songwriter and guitarist Maria Eriksson is most known for her work in Swedish pop-constellations The Concretes and Heikki. Her solo full-length debut is significantly more multifaceted. While Santa Maria is crammed with brilliant pop songs, Eriksson also mixes intricate singer/songwriter-tunes with deeply progressive pieces, intelligent and distinctive dance anthems with stunningly beautiful tracks. The musicians involved in Santa Maria are some of the most creative and sharp Sweden has to offer. Johan Berthling, of the internationally acclaimed electronica act Tape, produced the album, in addition to playing bass, zither, guitar and keyboards. Berthling has also worked with artists like Nicolai Dunger, Tenniscoats and Bill Wells. On guitar, keyboard and vocals, Markus KrunegArd, the frontman of Laakso; on drums, another member of Laakso, Lars Skoglund, who also plays with Moneybrother, and is rightfully considered the greatest talent of the new Swedish generation. Also featured on the album are guest performers such as Ellekari Larsson (vocals) and Leo Svensson (vocals) of The Tiny; Eric Malmberg (organ) of Sagor & Swing fame; and Anna Maria Espinosa (vocals), and Sara Wilson (vocals). |