Cannonball Jane: Knees Up!

Electro-lounge pop mistress by night; elementary school teacher by day. So goes the music career/day job balance of electronica mix-up artist Sharon Hagonpian (aka Cannonball Jane). Knees Up! is somewhat of an evolutionary follow up to her 2006 debut, Street Venacular, as we find two repeat tracks “Slumber Party” and “Breaker Breaker” wedged in between three remixed versions of lead single “Take It To Fantastic”, one of which is produced by the Beastie Boys’ Adrock and the other by DJ Downfall. Yes, the Beck influences are evident and welcomed. And should Ms. Hagonpain choose to add Knees Up to her class syllabus the kids would get a fine introduction to a world where hip-hop starlight explosions merge with girl group galaxies somewhere deep out on the lounge dance floor nebula. While the three versions of Fantastic are overkill, new tracks “Bossa Tug” and “The Secret Handshake” are worth staying after class.