New Music from The Jazz/Soul Diva MAYSA “Back 2 Love”
There are very few singers on the contemporary scene who have a unique, instantly identifiable vocal sound; there are even fewer who have the stylistic range to encompass both Jazz and R&B in their performances. Grammy-nominated Soul/Jazz diva Maysa, who celebrates her 20th year as a solo recording artist this year, marks that achievement with her new album
Back 2 Love, a tour-de-force that validates her status as the greatest Soul-Jazz singer of her generation-the latest in a distinguished line of sultry soul singers. Her new album “Back 2 Love” is released on Shanachie Entertainment as of yesterday May 26.
The “Back 2 Love” project features production and vocal help from Stokely Williams (Mint Condition) on the album’s first single “Keep It Moving.”
Phil Perry joins her on the “Last Chance for Love” track and other producers include J.R. Hutson (Jill Scott), Lorenzo Johnson (Ledisi), and Chris “Big Dog” Davis (Kim Burrell).
Back 2 Love kicks off with a classic dance-pulse on the title track. Though Maysa has recorded dance tracks before (mostly notably with Incognito), those often had a Brazilian or more overt Jazz spin but Back 2 Love shows that Maysa has what it takes to be a dance diva if she wanted to.
The opener is followed by the distinctive R&B groove of “Keep It Movin‘” produced by Mint Condition’s lead vocalist/producer/songwriter Stokley, who also contributes a guest vocal on the track. It is unlike anything Maysa has done previously and the chemistry between her and Stokley is magical.
I had the honor of meeting this Tour De Force Diva at The Berks Jazz Festival along with Bluey where she performed solo as well as a midnight concert with hers and my BELOVED Jazz Soul fusion group ‘Incognito’ *pic below*
Also on The CD The song “Heavenly Voices” is a masterpiece of jazzy Soul, quintessential Maysa, a spiritually-oriented song. Likewise, such tracks as “Last Chance For Love,” “Go Away Little Boy,” and “Smilin'” all have the hallmarks of Maysa’s classic style-rich vocal sound, deeply felt, evocative phrasing, lyrics relating to affairs of the heart, and a song structure that embodies the essence of R&B but adds a Jazz sensibility. “Go Away Little Boy” is inspired by Marlena Shaw’s classic hit of the same name. Also on the CD is “Last Chance For Love,” a Seventies-style R&B ballad, Maysa is joined by the incomparable Phil Perry, likewise a singer who is revered by other musicians.
She recently did an interview with SmoothJazz.com Global where she WORLD PREMIERED the project. Listen to the interview HERE!
With a degree from Morgan State University Maysa headed to Hollywood as a singer in Stevie Wonders backup group Wonderlove. She later moved to London to work as the lead singer in the British band Incognito – lead by Bluey.
Maysa’s first solo album was self-titled in 1995 on the GRP imprint. She went on to release three additional recording projects on the label before joining Shanachie Entertainment. “Back 2 Love” is her 8th album release on Shanachie. To put it Back 2 Love brings together all the facets of Maysa’s artistry in one album and that is BRILLIANT!
You can learn more about the Soul, Jazz, Classical singer or her latest album “Back 2 Love,” in stores and online now by logging onto at www.Maysa.com. A must get project! I recommend it!
No comments:
Post a Comment