180g Vinyl LP Album with Gatefold Cover, 8 Page Booklet & Obi
From the Original Master
Lacquer Cutting by SST Brüggemann GmbH in Germany
Pressing by Pallas GmbH in Germany
Cover Sleeve Printed & Made by Khiov in Korea

The ‘Play 33 1/3 LP Series’ is a 1st LP issue project of the masterpiece albums which have never been released on vinyl LP. The albums are released by Universal Music Korea and the heavyweight vinyl LP is pressed in Germany. Khiov designs the project, reforms the original artworks for the LP size and produces the sleeves precisely by handmade. You will have a chance to experience great analogue sounds and to enjoy splendid artworks through the series.

‘Dark Hope,’ the album released by Renée Fleming, the ‘people’s diva,’ is a crossover album containing a reinterpretation of songs of popular music artists Fleming likes in her own style. “I have always been inspired by artists who have shown musical and intellectual curiosity, especially those who have the courage to take risks. I enjoyed this process and am heartened by the fire and soul and sheer originality of these musicians.” Says the diva about making of the album. She also says that she tried to create an atmosphere that is more approachable to the public while recording the album in a studio in New York City with the famed producer David Kahne, who has worked with Regina Spektor and Paul McCartney in the past. From Muse to Leonard Cohen and from Jefferson Airplane to Duffy, the 11 songs in the album were carefully chosen among her everyday playlists regardless of time, genre or chart performance, and Fleming has sung them with her attractive voice without showing any traditional operatic vocal strength, which has been known as her signature style in the past. The album starts with ‘Endlessly’ (2003) by ‘Muse,’ and it sounds like the song is quite close to the original yet, very different with a slightly classical arrangement and calm voice. Then, it goes on to ‘No One’s Gonna Love You’ (2007) by ‘Band of Horses,’ which is milder due to Fleming’s vocal style, then to ‘Oxygen’ (2005) by ‘Willy Mason,’ which has acquired a more pop-like style with a string arrangement and Fleming’s voice. Next comes an acoustic pop/rock version of ‘Today’ (1967) by ‘Jefferson Airplane,’ which is added with some electronic sounds, and ‘Intervention’ (2006) by ‘Arcade Fire’ with a feeling of a grand choir and attractive chorus. ‘With Twilight As My Guide’ (2009) by ‘The Mars Volta,’ shall be the only song in this album that was sung in the operatic vocal style of Fleming’s to emphasize the brilliant yet, dreamlike atmosphere. The song is followed by ‘Mad Word’ (1983) by ‘Tears for Fears,’ in which Fleming has successfully exploited a more jazz-like vocal style on top of some electronic sounds. ‘In Your Eyes’ (1986) by ‘Peter Gabriel’ comes next, and in Fleming’s version, guitar played a greater role compared to the original while the voice of Fleming’s delivers a comfortable and gentle feeling, which, interestingly, do not harm the atmosphere of the original song. Then comes ‘Stepping Stone’ (2008) by ‘Duffy’ with a hint of soul with thick voice. The next song, ‘Soul Meets Body’ (2005) by ‘Death Cab for Cutie,’ has become more feminine and pop-like with a greater emphasis in electronic sounds. Finally, the album is completed with ‘Hallelujah’ (1984) by ‘Leonard Cohen,’ which, originally, is a gospel song but then became a pop gospel track that is denser with Fleming’s thick and warm voice. Fleming has indeed presented a vocal style that is quite different from her signature style in the past through her jazz album but, in this album, she sings even more comfortably in a relaxed manner, and it certainly will be a gift for regular pop music fans, those who have not heard of her singing before, as well as crossover fans, those who waited to hear something different from Fleming.

RENE?E FLEMING: vocals
DAVID KAHNE: keyboards, bass, guitar
RUSTY ANDERSON, NICK VALENSI: guitar
WILL LEE: bass
SHAWN PELTON: drums
RACHELLE FLEMING, AMELIA ROSS, SAGE ROSS: background vocals
JESSE MILLS, CYRUS BEROUKHIN: violin
WILLIAM HAKIM, DOV SCHEINDLIN: viola
WENDY SUTTER, ALEXIS PIA GERLACH: cello