Blend the sounds of American folk music from the early seventies with the ramblings of a gypsy girl from Oz, add spoonfuls of Brisbane’s finest musicians and the result is Aniseed Tea. This debut album from Peregian-based songstress Ange Takats harks back to a time when lyrics mattered, melodies were intricate and songs gave listeners something to sip on. Winner of the 2008 Lis Johnston Award for vocal excellence at the National Folk Festival, Ange’s voice has been described as Gillian Welch meets Joan Baez. She penned the album at her seaside apartment on the Sunshine Coast during a 12 month period. Brisbane’s Adrian Mauro recorded, arranged and produced the album, with some of the country’s top musicians adding their talents to the brew. The tracks were then sent to the UK where they were mixed by Australian engineer Ben Tolliday at Frou Frou Central in London (recent projects include Alanis Morissette and Jackie Marshall). “Each song has a different tale to tell. From the Irish nudist I met at a pub in Noosa - to a tune about knitting for a Romanian Canadian medical student who broke up with me but kept the beanie,” Takats said. The album features Adrian Mauro (The Black Alles Band), Ben Tolliday (Trinkets), Greg Cathcart (The Black Alles Band/Speedstar), Richard Johnston (The Black Alles Band/Speedstar), Robbie Long (The Lawnmowers/Kate Fagan/ Liz Frencham), Andrew Maddick (English Symphony Orchestra) & Beck Flatt (Loren). “Ange Takats has some interesting stories to tell but the hook is that soulful voice she tells them with. There’s real grit and passion there” – The Courier Mail “Takats’ exceptional voice is fine, smooth and almost effortless as it slips from her lips… her storytelling is laced with honesty and grace” – Tsunami Magazine