Brooklyn's Hem, in their new Eveningland CD, cite as a guiding light the "country-politan" sound of Ray Charles' 1962 classic LP, "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music." Yes, there's lush orchestral backing on several tunes (the Slovak National Radio Orchestra, no less). But instead of Brother Ray's lucky-ol'-sun voice, Hem fronts the lazy soprano of Sally Ellyson. She inhabits these original songs (except for a cover of Johnny Cash/June Carter Cash hit, "Jackson") comfortably. Ellyson sounds somewhat like a powerful Margo Timmins (Cowboy Junkies). Hem gives us grown-up roots music that is thoughtful, breathtakingly gorgeous at times and eminently hummable.