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Mojo January 08*** SAMANTHA MARAIS South African-born, London based songwriter, the missing link between Kate Bush and Françoise Hardy? Originally from South Africa but now based in London, Samantha Marais hooked up with Simon Tong of The Verve to work on a series of gossamer-light, melody-rich songs. Hence this debut album recorded in, among other places, a shed at the bottom of producer Youth’s garden. Marais has a strong voice, but she can veer between gentle beauty and too much whimsy. Warm Winds is a classic song about love lost and Marais serves it perfectly, and she delivers a remarkable unaccompanied version of the traditional tune George Collins. But there are moments - such as on First Days Of June – where she sounds as though she’s skipping back from school saying hello to all the trees and flowers. Still, Marais has a charm that‘s reminiscent of Françoise Hardy and a lyrical sophistication that suggests Leonard Cohen as an influence. This is an album for quiet winter mornings, ideally accompanied with a cup of peppermint tea. Will Hodgkinson
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