Vancouver's
Pacifika was formed in 2004 by producer, songwriter, and guitarist Adam Popowitz and his longtime writing partner, vocalist
Silvana Kane, with bassist and drummer Toby Peter arriving two years later in 2006. The group's ethereal pop sound is based around easy, mostly acoustic rhythms, often with Latin or Caribbean rhythms, and
Kane's voice, multi-tracked and layered like angelic choirs on choruses and hooks. Since
Kane is liable to sing in Spanish, English, or French, the whole feel of
Pacifika is a kind of bright, pop-savvy world fusion band intent on soothing out the world.
Amor Planeta is the band's fourth album, and it hardly strays from the template of Unveiled (2004), Asuncíon (2008), or
Supermagique (2010), although it has a touch more of an electric feel to it, but only that, a touch. The opening track, "Corre Ya," sets the positive, contemplative tone, and comes complete with the sound of crickets, all of it airy and flowing as gently and as sprightly as a mountain stream. The bouncy, poppy "Yo Te Amo" follows, and the whole set unfolds as gently as a summer breeze, all recorded clearly and sharply, with warm overtones and nary a jagged edge. ~ Steve Leggett