{groove pulp} Melody, absence makes the heart grow fonder {+ a giveaway}

When this opportunity came up, I couldn’t pass it up. The email read something along the lines of this artist yada yada yada. Actually, I barely read a word, all I saw was Melody Gardot, CD, giveaway.

In fact, my reaction was “are you kidding me?! I love Melody Gardot!”.

You see Melody Gardot needed no introduction here at Lime Lane. My husband bought me her first CD, way back when, after hearing one of the songs, somewhere, I can’t even remember where. And I remember gushing to my friend, a musician and naturally a music lover, “I’ve got this great CD for you to listen to” and of course, it was old news to her. She’d had it for weeks.

We snatched up the second CD when it came out and, when Melody started talking about album No. 3, well my eyes and ears were peeled.

I don’t exaggerate when I say I’ve been waiting for today ~ the album’s official release date ~ for some weeks.

There have been several teasers being sent out of some of the songs but the one above is the official first single. The soft bossa nova beat and Melody’s serene vocals  are sumptuous, as is this video, shot in Rio de Janeiro. Forget winter, you’ll be transported to sunny South America for four minutes when you hit play up there.

This album, takes another turn again from her previous releases. The Absence is result of Melody’s year-long globetrotting experiences. So there’s a little bit of tango and a little bit of samba this time around.

So many languages and so many cultures and yet I was taken by how similar the spirit of music is the world over. ~ Melody Gardot

Melody has an amazing story, which you can read here.

If you haven’t checked out her music, I suggest you do. My favourite tunes include Quiet Fire off her first album and Who Will Comfort Me? I included them in this 8 tracks mix.

Now, enough gushing from me, let’s get to the fun part.

I have five copies of Melody’s new CD The Absence to give away.

• It’s open to anywhere in the world.
• Entries close on Friday, June 8 at 6pm and winners notified soon after.
• Make sure you leave an email address so I can contact you
• All you have to do is leave a comment below and Mr Random.org will pick the five winners. Share a tweet and come back and let me know for an extra entry.

Find more of Melody Gardot:

website / facebook / twitter / iTunes / YouTube

Buy The Absence on iTunes

The giveaway is now closed. Winners announced on Monday, June 11. Thanks everyone for entering.