EX'S, Y'S AND A LITTLE ZEE...
July 2004
MIRIAM CHRISTINE - LITTLE ZEE
Winning the Malta Song for Europe contest at just 17 years of age was
obviously a big boost for Miriam Christine’s career, whatever your
opinion of such events may be. Eight years on, after several crucial
events in her personal life and a self-imposed sabbatical from the music
scene, she is back with a new album, Little Zee, which is best described
as an autobiographical reflection interpreted via an engaging musical
collage. Miriam Christine’s meeting with her extensive (biological)
Brazilian family was obviously an important turning point for the
Gozitan artist. Coming face to face with her roots and embracing her
heritage, she has successfully translated it all – thoughts, memories
and emotions - into the 15 tracks on offer here, all draped in musical
layers openly indicative of the fact that Miriam Christine has outgrown
the festival circuit and set her sights on a new direction.
Despite the pronounced personal depth dwelling inside its featured
songs, Little Zee carries itself over a variety of soul-infused
melodies. But while clearly attached to Miriam Christine’s genre of
choice (that’s R&B in case you weren’t sure!), the songs don’t quite
fall in line to any defined mould. Instead they seem to mingle with
other sounds, spreading out while still retaining that essential ‘urban
groove’ element. This fluidity is vital in bringing out the album’s
character. From the acid jazz throwback of the (opening) title track to
the poignancy of Mystery Mama, it’s all here – the sexy groove of Hush,
the staunch coolness of Reptile Lover, slinky funk on Synchronised, lush
nu-soul romance on You’re The Reason, flowing mainstream pop on What We
Really Mean and full-on fun on the vibrant Nitelife!
Written entirely by Miriam Christine and her husband, Mark Warner,
Little Zee’s contemporary approach owes a lot to producer Boris Cezek,
who has locally established himself as one of the foremost individuals
in his field. Credit is also due to the backing band - Eric, Ross, Kris
and Kevin – whose slick playing is so integral to the consistency of
this album. Little Zee is certainly a bold but positive step, for Miriam
Christine in particular because it is a vital vehicle for the artist’s
personal expression, and for the local scene because it helps promote a
fresh genre for local talent to explore and develop, free of all
obligations to the restricted festival circuit!
Recommended weblink:
www.miriamchristine.com
