Well I hope this picture comes out OK, a madras I cooked before I went on holiday, and I believe its all down to how hot you get the oil to bring out the taste of the spices; trust me this was definitely my best effort ever; and it definitely had the aroma, my son thought I bought it from our local BIR.
You need the oil to be has hot as you can get it; it makes a mess in the kitchen but what the hell.
See yo soon
Chas