Nicola Hitchcock

Passive Aggressive is the new album from Nicola Hitchcock -the Voice of Mandalay .

Read, watch, listen - videos, mp3s, fan forum and more at www.nicolahitchcock.com

" Passive Aggressive is the first release on my own label, Tempted, and comprises eleven of my favourite collaborative tracks from the past couple of years featuring Chris Brann, Hector Zazou, Ryuichi Sakomoto, Lenny Ibizarre, Michael J Ade and Sounds From The Ground." - NH
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In 1998 Mandalay's debut album "Empathy" was released to critical acclaim.
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"one of the most surprising understated albums in eons ...? illuminating and optimistic.? A muted beauty." (Andrew Emery, Vox)?

"passionate and honest ... moody mood music of the highest order ... a fine debut"? (Phil Strongman, The Mix)

"Mandalay remain apart form pale imitators with emotionally rich, delicate dance pop" (Esquire)
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"Troubled fluid, gorgeous oils and waters creating a river of sound that leaves you aching for more" (Melody Maker Live Review)
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On hearing "Empathy", Madonna sited Mandalay as her favourite band and chose the first single "This Life" to be featured on the film soundtrack for her film.?? "The Next Best Thing".??? "This Life" was also chosen to feature on the soundtrack to the hit British film "This Year's Love"?

?"a fusion of classical music, electronics and dance beats. Nicola Hitchcock's strange, emotive vocals seem to come from someone on the edge of a meltdown. The? musical canvass paints a picture of a musical Ice Age to come."? (NME singles review)
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Many other Mandalay songs were featured on cult TV series' including "La Femme Nikita", "Six Feet Under" and "CSI Miami".?
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The third single "Beautiful" appeared on a number of chillout albums of the time including the world famous compilation series'? "cafe del mar (vol 6)"? and Hedkandi's "Serve Chilled".?? As a result Mandalay were invited to headline at the Cafe del mar 2oth anniversary celebrations in Ibiza in 2000.?? A sunset remix of "Beautiful" was recorded and mixed by Lenny Ibizarre, the leading chillout DJ/musician on the island.? The song "Beautiful" went on to win a major advertising campaign (Estee Lauder, featuring Liz Hurley) and was chosen for the title track of German film "Der Eisbar".? More recently "Beautiful" was covered? by Sarah Brightman and released as the lead single for her hit album "Harem".
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Mandalay's 2nd album "Instinct" was co-produced? with Andy Bradfield (Everything But the Girl, Future Sound of London, Bjork) and Yoad Nevo (Jem)
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?".. draws inspiration from jazz and classical music to create resolutely elegant, affecting pop .... lush and expansive, Instinct's musical world is perfectly realised"?? (MK? The Guardian).??
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The first single from this album "Deep Love"? was remixed by Nitin Sawhney and Mandalay went on to support Nitin on his UK/London dates.??? Performances at Ibza's chillout festivals followed including "Las Dallias" and "Dreamdaze"? culminating in a headline performance at The Big Chill UK, Sanctuary Stage.?
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A third album "Solace" followed, released exclusively in the US comprising a mix of tracks from Mandalay's two existing albums (both previously unavailable in the US) together with an 11 track remix album with contributions from Wagon Christ, Alex Reece and Charlie May.? This marked the beginning of a growing success in America where "Solace" Soundscanned over 44,000 copies.??
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After Mandalay's demise, Nicola's song writing and vocal talents were sought by DJ Tiesto? who chose her song "In My Memory" for his forthcoming album.? With a deft remix from him, it became the title track and lead single for the album, the success of which led to a live performance by Nicola at the Dutch Music Awards in 2002.
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During the last three years she has continued to be sought by artists/musicians/dj's contacting her via the internet and email with requests for possible collaborations and she found herself in the fortunate position of being able to choose who to work with ...? and how ...? and when ......?? she began working on tracks from avant garde composers Hector Zazou, Ryuichi Sakomoto, Lenny Ibizarre and the underground artist & DJ Chris Brann (Wamdue Project, T'paah etc).? The resulting album "Passive Aggressive" stands a collection of her favourite collaborations from this time and is the first release on her own label Tempted.