In Winter

For this record, Melua went back to her native Georgia to record an album with the Gori Women's Choir, a native Georgian all-woman singing troupe.^[2] She teamed up with co-producer Adam 'Cecil' Bartlett, and travelled to the town of Gori, where they set up a recording studio in the local community arts centre. For the special choral arrangements, she brought in composer Bob Chilcott.^[3] This was Melua's first album since the end of her six album partnership deal with Mike Batt on his Dramatico Record label.^[4]

The album comprises a collection of seasonal covers from various cultures, and some original works reflecting on Melua's upbringing during Georgia's Soviet era and the difficult times of its subsequent civil war.^[1]