the incredible zee avi has her album debut tuesday may 19. make sure you buy a copy today because i believe it'll be the best album of 2009 ... it's "brushfire records and monotone present ZEE AVI" ... here, zee performs live from and above the solar powered plastic plant, playing "honey bee," "bitter heart," "kantoi" and "monte" ...

my favorite female artist zee avi just came out with her first video to her first single, "bitter heart," off her self-titled debut album that comes out may 19 ... her label is brushfire records and the malloys directed this vid ... and, yes, this is the album that we've been excited about for some time. enjoy ...

some classic zee avi, singing charlie chaplin's "smile"--back in 2007 when she was an unsigned artist (and before she became 2009's newcomer of the year) ... fyi, zee's brushfire records debut arrives may 19, 2009. so until then, smile :)

a lil behind-the-scenes look at brushfire records' first lady zee avi, the 2009 newcomer of the year (and the year ain't even over!!!) ... zee's debut cd comes out may 19. can't wait!!! ...

so funny that after i raved and raved about zee avi, that soon thereafter, i saw the beautiful and talented singer/songwriter julia ilowiecki on a "good morning, america" video. and this time, julia wasn't just working behind the scenes at gma, where she is also employed. she was on the air. apparently, co-workers heard her music, were very impressed and then the show decided to do an interview with her ... so now julia is on the other side of the camera. yesss!!! ... check out her "good morning, america" appearance at this link.

i haven't been this excited for a female singer/songwriter since norah jones came on the scene seven years ago ... ladies and gents, meet zee avi. she. is. phenomenalllll. brushfire records' newest artist is in their hallowed studio right now finishing her 2009 cd, and i'm telling ya', this girl from malaysia is gonna break thru big in the usa and beyond. this video is the great "no christmas for me" track from the brushfire christmas album "this warm december," and the vid just got released by the record company yesterday. listening to this song, zee's two songs on another brushfire sampler (her "bitter heart" and "untitled" tracks are brilliant) and her youtube videos under a different name before she was signed ... and that's enough for me to declare zee avi the best newcomer of 2009. it's always nice to declare award-winners for the year, especially when the year hasn't even arrived yet, lol. enjoy ... [UPDATE] my sister sarah jackson came up with the perfect description for zee: "she's the hawaiian billie holiday." ... couldn't have said it better myself.

whether you're one of the few who are celebrating christmas on the beach or one of the very many who just need your house warmed, "this warm december: a brushfire holiday, vol. 1" is the perfect cd for any family. this $14 cd has all the brushfire records studio fam contributing a track ... jack johnson ... zach gill ... alo ... mason jennings ... matt costa ... money mark ... g. love ... zee avi ... neil halstead ... rogue wave. definitely the best christmas album i've heard in years.