Mimosa By Tony Montague Méli-mélo (Independent) The musicians of Mimosa nail their cosmopolitan colours to the mast from the opening track of their third release. “Méli-mélo” is a fast-paced synthesis of Eastern European Gypsy music, klezmer, swing, pop, and vintage cabaret styles that’s sung both in French and English. The Mimosa sound has a marked Parisian flavour, with silky vocals from Rebecca Shoichet, sly keyboards and occasional accordion from leader Anna Lumière, and sinuous flute and saxes from Karen Graves. It suggests a homegrown version of Paris Combo, though the Vancouver band’s songs have a more global feel, and a bevy of local guests adds varied instrumental textures. “Torpeur”, a suitably languid and breathy bossa nova, features Celso Machado on bird whistles and percussion; “Delama” includes sitar from James Hamilton; and “El Amor” is straight-ahead Cuban salsa, with Jack Duncan slapping the congas. All the songs were written or cowritten by Lumière, who demonstrates a firm grasp of different genres and rhythms. Méli-mélo is Mimosa’s strongest album to date—sexy and sophisticated, with a relaxed and natural flow.