Classified [Canada]

Personnel: Lynda Richardson, Gay-Yee Westerhoff (vocals); Peter Huntington (guitar, keyboards, percussion, programming); Niksa Bratos, Nikolaj Juel (guitar); Ivica Murat (flute); Adam Pickard, Eduardo Alarcón Leal, Eduard Botric (keyboards, programming); Tim Bran (keyboards); Damir Somen (drums); Fergus Gerrand, Rony Barrak (percussion); Peter Lazonby, Ian Wherry (programming).
Audio Mixers: Niksa Bratos; Gary Langan; Ian Wherry.
Recording information: EMI Abbey Road Studios, London, England.
Editor: Gareth Jones .
Unknown Contributor Role: Scott Wilson.
Arrangers: Tonci Huljic; Nenad Siskov; Tania Davis; Eduard Botric; Ian Wherry; Matt Dunkley.
Bond, the scourge of classical music purists, follows up REMIXED with CLASSIFIED, the group's fourth release. Derided by traditionalists for its visual and musical flashiness, the sultry string quartet snubbed its nose at the establishment and won over legions of fans with the notion that Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms could be party music. Besides stunning looks and eye-catching attire, the foursome is known for its dynamic re-workings of well-known classical themes--high-octane blends of familiar melodies, world beat, electronica, and dance rhythms.
The group sets the tone right away with the aptly titled "Explosive," a typically high-energy romp penned by Tonci Huljic, a major contributor to Bond's early success. Bond makeovers are applied to Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake," Pachelbel's "Canon," Barber's "Adagio for Strings," Bizet's "Habanera," and a raucous version of Khatchaturian's "Sabre Dance." The album also finds the quartet expanding its musical arsenal with some exuberant vocals on the disco-era hit "Fly Robin Fly," as well as "Samba," a Latin-flavored workout. Anyone looking for an academic approach to classical repertoire has come to the wrong place; CLASSIFIED is for the many who've been captivated by Bond's fun-loving approach to the classics.