Stirred not Shaken, Mike Rickard’s stunning debut CD, marks the arrival of a great talent. A potent mix of styles blending Pop, Jazz, Rock and Country the emotionally stirring music travels the inner workings of the human soul, sparking reactions to issues both social and spiritual. Firmly grounded in a strong sense of self the opening selection, “Lucky,” hooks listeners with acoustic and electronic elements supporting the singer’s richly textured vocals.

Powerful even at its most understated moments, Mike Rickard’s persuasive presence helps to convey the messages of loneliness and despair present in “Home for the Holiday,” “I Might not Remember” and the bittersweet ballad “Forgot to Forget,” while the tender delivery of “Do You Know” barely hides the pain found just under the lyrics’ surface. And although the animalistic intensity of the aggressively upbeat “Natural” celebrates queer attraction, the most outspoken track on Stirred not Shaken is the self-aware and complex “Who I Am,” a prelude to the album-closing meditative prayer “As if to Say.”

A bold album that’s well worth the listen, Stirred not Shaken from Mike Rickard (www.mikerickard.com) is available in stores, on-line or by calling 1-800-BUY-MY-CD.