Man, this is a surprising album.
author: Woody Aki, editor of Dansezee Magazine
Man, this is a surprising album. When “Little Zee” came onto our desk, I have to admit that I was expecting a collection of sweet little ditties. What I didn’t expect was the fact that Miriam Christine has come of age in more than a big way. This second album of hers is a bold and brave attempt to move away from the safer environs of the festival scene that she’s well known for. And guess what, it suits her well!
Strong hints of RnB and Soul are the order of the day here, and it’s refreshing to see that the 13 compositions coupled with an interlude and an outro within this album compliment Miriam Christine’s voice in a way that other previous compositions failed to exploit. That’s not to say that her 1998 debut “Smile N’ Shine” was a failure, but further listening of “Little Zee” leads me to say that this album is a huge quantum leap. The title track kicks the album into life with a laid back Soul/Funk vibe with an 80’s sort of sheen that’s quite appealing, coupled with the sort of lyrics that dispel the squeaky clean image of yore. What we get is an account of Miriam Christine’s experiences with racism and how it eventually made her stronger. “You’re the Reason” is minimal but excellent, “Synchronised” is a journey through 70’s Soul fused with a modern RnB backing and a wicked start-stop rhythm to die for, and “Nitelife” threatens to go all Gospel on us, with its dirty Wah-Wah guitars driving it home. But pride of place has to go to “Symptom (Of My Loneliness)”, a heart wrenching, piano driven ballad that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up – that doesn’t happen everyday to me, I have to admit.
Admittedly, there are minimal lapses from the production side of things. Just as refreshing as the raw and organic edge of this album is, there are a couple of tracks that would have benefited greatly from more solid songwriting as well as a more contemporary RnB/Hip Hop sheen. But rest assured that this is just a minor hiccup. The overriding factor remains that Miriam Christine has excelled herself in more ways than one with “Little Zee”, and this album should be seen as a definite yardstick for bigger things to come from the Brazilian-Gozitan chanteuse if she keeps on releasing gems like this album.
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this is one of the hottest bangers I've heard in a long time
author: DizzO from TreOneFo Ent.
... strikes you deep within your soul...
author: Smother.Net
Malta may have been where Miriam Christine was raised but her Brazilian birthplace is also felt subtly throughout this strong demo. Her blending and weaving of the varied genres of R&B and funk with a hip-hop flair underneath is outstanding. The beats stun your body while the production pumps bass that strikes you deep within your soul urging you to dance, move, or at least wiggle in your seat. The candid approach to her lyrics are refreshing and prove that America should look towards Europe for a relief from the generic R&B that plagues our mainstream music media outlets.
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Little Zee carries itself over a variety of soul-infused melodies.
author: Michael Bugeja, The Malta Independent
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 particularly 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!
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