Maddy Hay - Smoke in the City (Album)
» Madelina hits the Toff - August 28, 2009
I am writing this with the fresh memory of having seen the lovely Madelina only last night. The dim Paris Cat Jazz Bar in Melbourne is the venue. It's a Tuesday night but the house is full. A sizeable moth flies errantly around the stage lights, hitting itself against them with a small, wet thud. Jazz moth.
Madelina's band begins;the trumpet is so rich and full and clear, it sounds like a human voice. Madelina's voice drips with warmth as people shut up to listen. Jonathan Zion plays thudding bass, with orgasmic guitar faces. Waterfall piano covers everything in a 1940s-esque coat. Even in this small local gig, the crowd still cries for an encore and sing along.
Now that I've placed you in the correct mindframe (hopefully), we can discuss Madelina's debut EP, Smoke in the City. If you're looking for a mosh pit, go somewhere else. Madelina's particular vain of lo-fi jazz is soothing, easy, non-invasive. It can lull you into blissul musical relaxation while still engaging you. Standout track is the dainty Move With Me which, with its incorporation of glockenspeil, makes it an adorable child-like ode full of naivety and cool breeze.
Head to Madelina's MySpace and check for yourself. If you're having a blue kinda day, or work is stressing your little mind out, or people are being the worst kind of dickhead, jazz can help. Madelina will help.
