The Licking Of A Tangerine. Jazmine Mary

What is it in the New Zealand water, that another laidback, indie singer-songwriter album is presented to me, making an immediate impression? The Licking Of A Tangerine is one in a modest line of albums from New Zealand that went straight into my head and heart.

The single 'Dancer' had already made an impression on me earlier this year, as can be found on this blog if you like. I decided to spare you the effort. The description of 'Dancer' is so apt for the album as a whole that I am going to repeat myself here.

"Jazmine Mary is a totally new name to me. So I had no clue as to what I was going to listen to. For those following my suggestion and listen along, you'll have noticed how different Dancer is. Slow, bare, lots of space between the instruments. Almost as this is a social distancing song, playing on 1,5 meter from each other. At the same time this alternative ballad is quite beautiful. There is a jazzy undertone over which Jazmine Mary is able to deliver her slow vocals. Everything around Dancer exhumes relaxed atmospheres, with an undercurrent that can't be determined really. Over the basis of a strummed guitar, one stroke per beat, other instruments move in and out of the song. A keyboard, a violin, a saxophone, while soft percussion, so slow and wide apart, accompanies all, almost as a separate instrument. Having listened a few times to Dancer, the final element I would like to point to is folk. Of course this song is extremely slow, there are hints to the kind of new folk that was made around 2010. The way Jazmine Mary is able to mix all these elements in this interesting way, makes me interested to hear more in the future. Coming from New Zealand, I'm not surprised that the last name I wanted to mention was Reb Fountain. That majestic impressiveness is all over Dancer as well."

Since, I found that Jazmine Rose Phillips is from Gipssville, Victoria in Australia, residing in New Zealand. That does not take anything away from the fact that where quality is concerned I am putting her album up with 'Designer' by Aldous Harding and 'Reb Fountain'. All three albums play with the context of the music. On them the not-obvious is happening, the musical surprises are all over the place in ever so subtle ways.

The Licking Of A Tangerine is an album that at first may seem totally bare. Not a superfluous note is found, until these little bursts of copper instruments come in or the Nick Cave like background vocals in 'Dancer'. For the rest, there's minimal percussion, a few bass notes, slow strokes on a guitar, a chord on some keyboard over which the sonorous voice Jazmine Mary delivers the vocals. Only the jazzy horns bring the unexpected, subdued excitement.

The result is a darkish, late night music seemingly addressing nighthawks at the diner mulling over their last beverage, cigarette stained fingers and all. The pleasant thing is that there's no need to be a late night cat to enjoy this album. Put it on any time you truly have the time, either loud or with a headset on. A splendid time is guaranteed as Jazmine Mary gives you her all. As producer of her debut album she works with Peter Ruddell for the keyboard and saxophone contributions. (The alto sax is played by Aaron Lovich.) Ruddell, of noise trio Wax Chattels, truly has a double personality as the difference is so uniquely great.

At times it is easy to impress with little. On The Licking Of A Tangerine Jazmine May does just that. She created a universe of her own that she sucks a listener into and only lets go, for a short while, at the end of the album. Her debut comes close to being utterly brilliant and may grow into that soon.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order The Licking Of A Tangerine here:

https://jazminemary.bandcamp.com/album/the-licking-of-a-tangerine

or listen to our Spotify Playlist to find out what we are writing about:

https://open.spotify.com/user/glazu53/playlist/6R9FgPd2btrMuMaIrYeCh6?si=KI6LzLaAS5K-wsez5oSO2g