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We're an opinionated lot here at Magic - and this is where we share our almost-expert opinions with you. Whether it's a good read, a great meal, Magic Recommends is our guide to help you live the good life. We'll make our suggestions and as always, we welcome your feedback.

Check back to see the latest insights on what's out there for stimulating reading, trends in travel, the finest meals you'll find in the city, and more. If we do it, we'll review it, and give you the benefit of our experience...good or bad!

Latest Recommendations

  • REVIEW – The Sea – Corrine Bailey Rae

    REVIEW – The Sea – Corrine Bailey Rae

    By Kurt Leavins 

    When Corinne Bailey Rae released her very first CD a couple of years ago, the freshness of her hit 2006 single “Put Your Records On” came through the speakers like a spring breeze.  I thought it was the record of the year.  But between then and now, “life happened” to this stunning Soul singer.  But instead of derailing her budding career,
    The experience has elevated her to an entirely new artistic level.

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  • AND THE OSCAR GOES TO…MAGIC 99’S FEARLESS PREDICTIONS.

    2 hosts? 10 Best Picture Nominees?  This year’s Academy Awards Ceremony promises to be a bit of a different animal.  Here’s your Magic 99 primer, complete with our picks in the top categories. Keep in mind, if we really knew what we were talking about, we would use our powers to win the Magic office Oscar pool. But here goes.

    BEST MOTION PICTURE TO THE YEAR

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  • Soldier of Love – Sade

    REVIEW - Solider of Love -Sade

    By Kurt Leavins 

    It’s a crying shame that we had to starve our ears for 10 years in between albums from Helen Adu.  Helen Who?  Oh, you thought Sade was her real name?!  Actually, it’s not even her stage name…it’s the name of her band.  But for the purposes of today’s discussion, just call her fantastic.

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  • Song from My Heart – Grant MacEwan University

    REVIEW –

    Song from My Heart – Grant MacEwan University
    By Kurt Leavins

    It is rare that one person or organization is ever solely responsible for a success.  That is particularly true of the Arts community.  After all, art is such a highly subjective thing.
    How could one ever begin to allocate credit for such a hard-to-define thing, by some
    cold, scientific formula?  However, in Edmonton, the distinct success of the Grant MacEwan University Music Program threatens to defeat the very argument I’ve
    just worked so hard at explaining and defending!

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  • Magic 99's Top 50 Films of the 2000's!

    MAGIC 99’S TOP 50 FILMS OF THE 2000’S

    The hardest part about choosing the best films of the last decade, is remembering what movies even came out in the last decade. (Duncan Paterson volunteered Pulp Fiction as the best of the decade, and while we agree it was brilliant, it also came out in 1994.)  So, while we’re bound to have missed something obvious, here are our picks for the best films of the last decade. 

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