Bet.e and Stef - Day by Day Universal Music Canada has always been known as a melting pot for different cultures and with that comes a tasty variety of World music. The success stories of Jesse Cook and Robert Michaels in Flamenco and Loreena McKennitt and Leahy in Celtic just touch the surface on what's available in Canada. This countries take on world music seems very palatable for the masses and just because Canadian commercial radio hasn't caught on yet doesn't mean things aren't expanding. Sure the cross-over acts are everywhere but music fans seem ready for more of the undiluted stuff. In the age of wanting more World music seems to hit the spot. Day by Day by Montreal's Bet.e and Stef serves as its own self contained melting pot of sorts incorporating Bossa Nova, Latin, Jazz and Pop making it an easy feel good full-throttle escape. Lead singer Bet.e says that 'jois de vivre' feel was their main focus "if it makes us feel good then we figure it will make other people feel good as well and it has that as part of our intention". Her partner Stef first discovered Bossa Nova while in Paris years ago and on returning to Montreal he met Bet.e who was ready for a change after immersing herself in psychology studies. Bet.e feels being in Canada made their transition quite easy, "in some countries you can't even be in the same neighborhood without fighting. I think this is a fantastic thing we have here, this openness to different cultures. The Brazilian response here in Canada has been good." Response to Brazilian music in general has been strong, most notably that of legends Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gilberto Gil and Milton Nascimento among others and we all know how Latin has taken off the last five years. 'Day by Day' is filled with all the elements that make Latin and Brazilian so exciting, perky rhythms, comprehensive percussion, lazy effortless vocals enveloped with grace and style. The albums first single 'I'm There' an up-tempo refreshed addition to radio has Bet.e sounding a tad like Astrud Gilberto of 'Girl from Ipanema' fame. The title song works on many levels, Stef's light guitar and Bet.e's haunting vocals seem to coexist as one entity, a bi product of absolute chemistry. Interestingly, I didn't like this album on first spin finding it too jarring - almost too happy but hey who can argue with happy! - by John Beaudin Read our interview with Bet.e and Stef