[deadgrandma]

Have been spinning Maron Hamada's Mayakashi no Blues maxi single a lot the last couple of days. Some impressions:

First up, this could have been sold as an EP, it clocks in at over 20 mins and feels like an EP when you listen to it. Wouldn't it be nice if all MAXI singles actually meant MAXI like this?

The songs on this disc obviously have had a LOT of work put into them. They are no doubt Hamada's strongest and most elaborate compositions yet. The production is second to none, and her voice is focussed, controlled and definitely the best she's sounded to date. Her backing band play with a restraint that really brings Hamada to the spotlight, and listening (particularly in a set of good headphones) feels like you're at a private gig.

The songs themselves are great, and blend a bit more rock than usual into the preceedings, hell, there's even a brilliant guitar solo in here. I don't think Hamada intended to break new ground with this single, but to refine and perfect her already focussed, no messing around approach to jazz/cabaret- and she achieved this wonderfully.

It's well worth the addition to the collection and I hope this is indicative of what to expect on LP2. She obviously has 100% creative control and has put a lot of love in here- releasing it so independently is indicative of this. While this is great- I hope her website eventually allows for international shipping.

Anyway- great stuff, I have no reservations giving it a solid 8.5/10.