“Singer/songwriter, pianist and sought-after vocal tutor Caitlin Smith is probably best known for her lounge jazz trio The Fondue Set, which has gigged extensively throughout the country. On Aurere, she is joined by a crack-team of players. All Members of this group inject Smith’s compositions with tasteful fervour, never getting in the way, but adding plenty of colour and texture.… Read the rest

“It’s surprising that Aucklander Caitlin Smith hasn’t attracted interest from a major label. …. With songs as insightful and compelling as ‘Ugly Duck’ or the equally lovely ‘I am Joe’s heart’ and ‘Penelope’. As a below-the-surface songwriter, she’s got a voice to match and stretches it with ease to skit and flit over the funky, ambitious gymnastics of ‘Comfort song.… Read the rest

The Listener by Eleanor Black 19-25 February 2005 When established singers such as Anika Moa, Nesian Mystik and members of the Datsuns need help finding their voice, they call Caitlin Smith. Her spine-tingling backing vocals fea¬ture on albums by everyone from Ben Lummis to Concord Dawn.… Read the rest

Time Out, CD Reviews by Graham Reid JAZZ: Graham Reid takes a journey to locate that rare beast, local jazz 12th February 2005 If not exactly an endangered species, local jazz is certainly a rare animal. Being a minority music, major labels shy away from it, so its survival has depended on true believers such as Kiwi-Pacific (which was once active in jazz, recording Sustenance and Frank Gibson’s original Jazzmobile) and particularly Ode, whose back-catalogue of albums by Brian Smith, Gibson, Mike Nock and many others is perhaps overdue for reissue.… Read the rest

“This album has been a long time coming from the legendary singer for the Fondue Set. ‘Aurere’ is the first CD of original tunes from Caitlin, performed with her five piece jazz / funk band, The Caitlin Smith Group. The English translation of Aurere is passion and that shows right from the first notes.… Read the rest