Twelve years together as a duo and as one-quarter of the legendary soul-groove collective called the Bourbon Tabernacle Choir have brought Chris Brown and Kate Fenner to an artistic and personal symbiosis that is clearly evident on their first recording: Other People's Heavens. The title refers to the ever-widening class gap that's quite obvious in their newly adopted environment of New York City, and is at the forefront of Premier Mike Harris' ReformaTory vision for their native Ontario. In particular, "Whoever Built This Would Never Live Here" tackles the issue of urban flight and the myth of suburban comfort ("The suburb walls get higher and higher/ distance just a loan & the interest due/ in the violence you meet when you walk your own street"). Other lyrical expeditions delve into loss ("Apology"), internal prejudice ("Bleed"), love ("Resistance"), ignorance ("Birds"), and the dissipation of hope ("Whoever Built This Would Never Live Here"). A glimmer of optimism and redemption is offered up on the album's closing track, a rendition of Mary Margaret O'Hara's classic "Help Me Lift You Up."

Other People's Heavens was recorded at home in Toronto in the spring of 1997, with bassist/producer Pete Presilnik (Ashley MacIsaac, Big Sugar) and guest players that include drummers Al Cross (Jane Siberry), Gavin Brown (Phleg Camp, Crash Vegas), Matt DeMatteo (Ashley MacIsaac), ex-Bourbon Andrew Whiteman, and Rheostatic Don Kerr.

Initially released in July 1997, it has been available only at shows and at selected Toronto stores. Together with their new lineup (Tony Scherr on bass, Michael Mazar on drums), the duo have returned to Toronto a few times since the album's release, meeting sold-out crowds and a resounding response each time. With a new distribution deal through DROG and Outside Music, the album is ensured a national
release, and the pair plan to hit the Trans-Canada in the very near future.

Michael Barclay (keyboardist for Guelph septet and DROG recording artists Black Cabbage)