Kaia Kater’s deep, earthy vocals can be mesmeric or warm hearted and are sometimes both on a sometimes sweet, sometimes downright seductive set that freshly fuses Appalachian strains with threads of jazz. The Quebec-born singer/banjoist/pianist’s graceful, folk-grounded melodies dwell within compelling minimal arrangements in which traditional folk instrumentation meets with electric guitar, synth and intriguing and wholly unexpected touches of trumpet and flugelhorn. Standouts include “Saint Elizabeth”, “Viper’s Nest” and “Paradise Fell”. A solid candidate for this year’s “Best Of” lists.