Customer Reviews

Maysa

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Maysa Leak, who took the jazz/funk outfit Incognito to the land of radio success with her rich, soulful vocals on "Don't You Worry Bout a Thing," "Deep Waters," and "Shade of Blue," begins forging her own jazzy soul legacy with this remarkable solo effort. The bright chords of "Peace of Mind" and the scat singing of "J.F.S." will certainly please Incognito fans, while even the most die-hard pop lovers will fall for the likes of "What About our Love" and the sultry "Alone at Last." "Goodbye" is a bittersweet ballad perfectly complimented by a wistful vocal performance, and "Goodbye Manhattan" is a slow-burn funk number that benefits from both the smoky lows and the soaring highs of Maysa's range. The album's finest moment, however, is found on "Rain Drops," a simply perfect work of art...between the warm vocal, intoxicating chorus, major-to-minor signature changes and classy trumpet and fluglehorn accents, this track certainly ranks as one of the most definitive jazz/soul songs of the nineties. Throughout this album Maysa displays a warmth and maturity that is becoming increasingly rare in pop radio...all the more reason to embrace "Maysa" as the rare and lovely work it is.

Maysa has a unique voice that will leave you mesmerized. She has a voice of soft midnight rain. A CD filled sultry,seduction, and fun. The song "Sexy" is for lovers at their most intimate moments. "Goodbye" for those who part relationships with dignity and respect. This album is great at setting the mood for just about any occasion. It is like magic. I recommend this album to be a part of your collection.

First off, don't sleep. Maysa Leak is a great vocalist. Her first solo effort holds up pretty well primarily because of that. She also works with a complementary sound that spotlights her voice and flavor. Tracks like "Sexy" have a "Quiet Storm" radio show kind of sound, "J.F.S." is a pure contempo jazz track, and the single "What About Our Love" and "Raindrops" are a bit of both. "Rain Drops" and "Peace Of Mind" together are my favorite part of the album, setting a lovely mood and then following it up with an upbeat sound that perfectly matches.

Now for the bad news. Maysa and Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick (leader of Incognito) need each other. Maunick often finds great vocalists in her absence, though Maysa is my favorite female vocalist for Incognito. Maysa can't say the same for her production in his absence. While some musicians from Incognito albums do get involved in this album, something definitely is lost in the translation. I enjoy the backing music in this, but it's definitely not as engaging as some of the similar Incognito tracks. The recording of the album seems a bit off too, and though I'm no audiophile, sometimes the music sounds a bit distant, and perhaps that is contributing more to my sentiment than is fair.

I still rate this album highly because I like the tracks well enough to never hit the skip button, it showcases Maysa's fine voice, and it captures that great contemporary jazz/soul sound that I like. If you love Incognito, you won't be disappointed by this album, though it may not change your world.

I Love this Lady's work well enough to have bought all 3 of her solo albums however, Her first is her best and I'm disappointed with both ALL MY LIFE & OUT OF THE BLUE. This album is a definite must have and while there are some good tracks on the other 2 CD's none carry the same "swing" as all the tracks on the her self titled debut CD....in fact this Cd is all you need as it showcases Maysa at her best.

Maysa rocks! she can truly sing!
this album didnt do too well i think, maybe it wasnt promoted right. But it's a great album nonetheless! don't hesitate to pick it up today if you don't already own it or are skeptical.
Best songs are "Sexy," "Alone At Last," "Rain Drops," and
"J.F.S" Try this album, you won't be disappointed. Maysa's
music and singing is very pleasing and enjoyable to listen to.
This is one of my favorite CD's. I listen to it almost every day.
I didn't like her other 2 albums as much as her first. The music just isn't the same!

I bought this album in summer of 1996, a year after it came out.
I saw it promoted in a magazine and i thought i'd take a chance on it, not knowing what it would sound like. After I listened to the first few songs, I absolutely loved it! I especially like
"J.F.S" the instumental song, it's so pretty to listen to.
All the songs on this album are great! I'm still listening to this today!! I listen to it quite often. It's one of my favorite albums in my collection. Maysa sings so beautifully. I didn't like her 2nd album as much as her debut. Her debut is definately her best work! The album is so easy to listen to. I also really like the song "Sexy" that song is so pretty. Maysa sings about a guy who, as the title implies, is so "sexy" and wants him to love her down. Another favorite of mine is "Alone At Last"
where she sings about finally getting the chance to be alone with that special someone she didn't think she would ever get to be with. Another great song on this album is "Rain Drops."
If you're skeptical about purchasing this CD, don't be!
After you hear the first couple songs, you'll be hooked!
Buy this one today!!

This was a great CD.. For me the best songs were Black Heaven, J.F.S., Rain Drops and Peace Of Mind. Great vocals from Maysa, excellent rythm section, clever song writing with that awesome loose/catchy bass. If you are an Incognito fan you will definately want this CD.. Released in 1995, I finally found it on-line in 07/2000. Looks like I've got some catching up to do. This woman should be cloned..

Having been a fan of most of incognito songs which maysa is highlighted, "deep waters", "shade of blue" and "beneath the surface" I decided to take the chance... I was not disappointed. As demonstrated on my favorite track, "rain drops", Maysa seemed to give a thumbs down to the large horn section in favor of smaller more musical instrumental solos. This CD also is well recorded. If I had a complaint It would be this CD tilt towards R&B, as opposed to the other incognito solo project inner shade's "4 corners" which has more of a jazz flavor.

I Love this Lady's work well enough to have bought all 3 of her solo albums however, Her first is her best and I feel let down with both ALL MY LIFE & OUT OF THE BLUE. This album is a definite must have and while there are some good tracks on the other 2 CD's none carry the same "swing" as all the tracks on the her self titled debut CD....in fact this Cd is all you need as it showcases Maysa at her best.

After three years with jazz/funk outfit Incognito, Maysa took a hiatus to record her own solo project, and this strong, glowing set is the result. Incognito fans will warm to the jazzy sounds of "Peace of Mind" and the scatted "JFS," while pop fans will definitely be won over with the hook-heavy "What About Our Love" and the sultry ballad "Alone at Last." "Goodbye Manhattan" offers a healthy dose of funk and "Black Heaven" is R&B at its finest. The album's finest moment, however, comes on the glorious ballad "Rain Drops," which finds Maysa's gorgeous, distinctive vocals laid over a jazz/soul groove; classy flugelhorn and trumpet add to the mood. This album is so full of fine moments you can forgive the tepid ballad "More Than You Know." This is a classic pop/soul album that proves Maysa is more than just the voice of Incognito.