Jess Chambers - Jess Chambers and the Firefly Orchestra

Rating: * * * *
Verdict: Sweet, soothing music from a rising local talent

As the gentle acoustic guitar and chiming glockenspiel of La La Song washes over listeners, soothing them into an almost meditative state, Jess Chambers can rest assured she has achieved her aim.

The Wellington singer and songwriter set out to make an album of comforting music and spent five years searching for the right sound to accompany her delicate-yet-dynamic voice, a voice that soars lightly to hit the impossibly high notes of Reaching for the Moon and just as easily swoops down to the sultry, lower register of Soldiers.

Justin Firefly's acoustic guitar rhythms are perfectly matched to Chambers voice, while his orchestral arrangements make the album, pitting cellos and violins against taonga puoro [traditional Maori instruments] and even the odd banjo.

 At times haunting, at times joyful, the album   is like a well-crafted collection of lullabies.

Joanna Hunkin

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