Deb Dicembre Music

And the great reviews keep coming through!

GRACE CITY is the 5 song EP of Mark Isaacs , Australian musician, composer and arranger. Better known for his extensive Classical and Jazz catalogue, internationally acclaimed, Grace City is Mark’s first foray into the world of lyrical pop music.

Mark does not do things by halves and this beautifully produced EP is no exception. Combining a stella cast of Australian musicians, the didgeribone – half didgeridoo half trombone , the Czech Symphonic Orchestra , Mark’s exquisite piano and keyboard playing, and the vocals of yours truly, make this project a one of a kind orchestral pop experience.

“Part Leonard Bernstein, part Burt Bacharach as interpreted by Dionne Warwick and Dusty Springfield — it’s almost symphonic pop!” Michael Smith for Rhythms Magazine Jan/Feb 2025. You can read Michael’s article here

Below, a thoughtful and penetrating review of ‘Grace City’ from the distinguished music journalist Bernard Zuel, who wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age for 25 years as well as for RAM and Rolling Stone. Read in full here.

“Presenting pop songs whose craft and class demand more of singers and musicians, without making it sound like it demands more of the listener, gets my respect…lyrics which question midlife certainties…Through it all, you are aware of more happening, of little tugs on the edges of your attention, but Isaacs lets the song – lets you – find that naturally, so you can focus in or simply go with the flow. That’s not showy but it is classy”. Bernard Zuel

And from longtime and well loved Australian Music Journo, author, manager, publicist , promoter and label founder , Stuart Coupe.

Mark Isaacs is an incredibly talented musician and composer who involves himself in an enormous and unprecedented diversity of creative projects.
As well as being an award-winning classical composer Mark has been acclaimed internationally as a jazz pianist, classical pianist & film composer. He has been a recording artist for ABC and Naxos amongst other labels.
That multiplicity of creative endeavours includes being in Prague in April 2024 conducting the Czech National Symphony Orchestra in the first recording of his Symphony No. 2, circumstances which enabled the completion of this exciting project which Mark has been nurturing for many years.

So now we have another facet of Mark’s musical world, a turnaround to his major debut as a songwriter/producer, writing all the lyrics as well as composing and arranging the music, which includes the strings of the Czech National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mark.
Add in beautifully expressive, nuanced and textured vocals from Deborah Dicembre, and a team of brilliant, expansive and innovative session musicians led by Mark at the piano/keyboards and special guest Adrian Fabila Tjupurrula on the title track playing didgeribone (hybrid of didgeridoo & trombone). 

The tracks were recorded at Studios 301 with the involvement of a notable production team including consulting mix producer Richard Lush who worked as recording engineer with The Beatles on their Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, mixdown engineer Lachlan Mitchell who worked with George Martin at the latter’s AIR Studios in London, and associate producer Ollie McGill (Cat Empire).
The Grace City EP is a thing of beauty. Exquisite songs, singing and musicianship. Spend time with it – it’s time that will bring glorious and wonderful rewards.
STUART COUPE

So sit back with some headphones that’ll give you all the feels and enjoy Grace City .

It is indeed, a thing of beauty.