Hollie Smith- Long Player

NF Rating:

By Conan




To us New Zealand folk she is our Norah Jones, our Erykah Badu, our soul sister and so on and so on. I was apprehensive in reviewing this release after I heard ‘Bathe in the River’ which I felt was a very horrible track that defies mental illness. Seriously did anyone felt like shooting themselves in the head, I know I did! In other words it just showcased her in a very bad light from where I was listening (damn you Don McGlashan!!)


So for years I ignored any inkling of Hollie’s existence after that dreadful song made its rounds, sell its tickets for No 2, and pressed its plastic for retail stores across NZ whilst letting the stink of it permeate the air….out came an album from Hollie that will dismiss any crude statements about her in general, Long Player.

This would elevate her in between the stratosphere of where Norah Jones is right now, a talented female far surpassing local females before her in Jazz…..alright not so much, but by god she is getting there. She does hold some blemishes in the form of her voice. At times it can be a saving grace on certain songs, but then again it can be rather monotone and monotonous; however I’m not going to demerit that fact because what really saves this album is the Instrumentation, its warm and inviting like many open lit lamps.

Having a duality of not only singing, she also plays keys in this release and bonus points for Hollie in her use of a Fender Rhodes which is one of my personal favorite electronic pianos as it majestically flows from her fingers.

She is the black beauty of next generation jazz as not only the old can appreciate it for its vintage, but also a younger audience can ease into it.

‘I Will Do’ is simply beautiful and soulful with a haunt within her voice. See this is how you use Hollie’s talents, in an environment that is comfortable and suited. In fact I can listen to this all day or late at night to encapsulate that mood within the song without a care in the world.

‘Philosophy’ jangles in with guitar strums and following that is a fantastic somber of jazz funk glue fixtures with effortless timing.

‘Reprise’ relatively oozes a chocolate sensation of smoothed out funk coming in strong with overtly faux sexual tones. Okay maybe I’m looking in too deep, but I really thought that in retrospect.

'Own It' feat. Captain Imon Starr at first would sound like some corny crossover wannabe NZ hip hop faux American overspill, but it comes off flawless. There is some heart from the rhyme delivery of Imon and an authentic sense of Black floating so gently with the elongated piano playing, it’s magnificent!


‘Provider’ being the longest track clocking in at 7:02 is still warranted in my view. I just love the lashings of Piano’s (courtesy of the Rhodes of course) coupled with the warmth wooden guitars playing in with love, this just brings an umpteen of awesome feelings.


Now as shocking as this sounds (or no surprise to anyone who purchased this release in 2007) this no doubt is an essential New Zealand purchase, an absolute must have for Jazz/funk/NZ Music fan. Also this taught me a valuable lesson that you never judge a vocalist by her personal life.

Hollie does have the potential to make it out there in the Jazz world and I hope that she knows that!

...Click here to continue reading