Customer Reviews

Out of the Blue

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am always craving a strong, beautiful voice, music and lyrics with meaning. The past three years, only a few artist fit the bill. Maysa Leak is definitely on the very top of my list.
Now Maysa returns with "Out of the Blue" and in the nick of time. The cravings were beginning again.
"Friendly Pressure" - I like this track because its all about comfortably applying love without the resistance of your lover. Asking for relaxation, & enjoyment of such love. The groove is easy and flows consistantly with her voice.
"Simple Life" The flamenco guitar, & latin influenced grooves of this song combined with the sexy melodic contribution of Will Downing (another fantastic, extraordinary singer) make this my FAVORITE on the CD. Together, they plead for sunlight, water and earth. The simple things.
"Head to the Sky" - a remake of the old EW&F song. There's a saying, "If it ain't broke dont fix it", and/or some songs should never be remade because they were perfectly done the first time. MAYSA WILL CHANGE THAT TRAIN OF THOUGHT. My goodness Maysa, you never cease to amaze me!! I really love her take on this song. Its the beauty of her voice that gives a different interpretation. Inspirational and soothing.
I would personally like to thank Maysa for returning with yet another masterpiece. Check out her other CDs "All My Life" and "Maysa". They too, are wonderful pieces of work and artistry.

In 2002, adult R&B fans -i.e., those who realize "Just the Two of Us" isn't a Will Smith song- are more desperate than ever. VH1 has become just as obsessed with youth as MTV, and the one-hit wonders seem to be endless. Luckily, former Incognito frontwoman Maysa has another polished production onhand, continuing her legacy of soul records chock full of both style and substance. Rather than bend her own music to match current trends, Maysa's "Out of the Blue" is poised to do exactly the opposite.

Make no mistake, her tenure with Incognito (not to mention Incognito leader Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick producing her second solo disc, "All My Life") has left an unmistakable mark on Maysa's music. The band's Brazilian leanings have rubbed off, and Maysa puts them to excellent use on the sensuous "Friendly Pressure" and the samba-flavored title track...and in these modern times of guest rappers subbing for solos, it's nothing short of euphoria to hear guitar and flute (respectively) get time in the spotlight. Tropical rhythms again reign supreme on "Simple Life," a seductive charmer that boasts a Will Downing vocal, and the fluid "Blue Horizon" gently pulsates and sounds like the soundtrack for an island getaway.

Like most other adult R&B aficianados, Maysa has a strong sense of the past, utilized here on an irresistible club reworking of Sly and the Family Stone's "Family Affair," as well as a smooth-as-silk reading of Earth Wind & Fire's "Head to the Sky." Maysa's delivery on the EWF tune is proof positive that an artist need not write the material to give an emotional, soulful performance: "Head to the Sky" is one of her finest, most technically solid vocals to date, and her addition of the Prayer of Jabez at the end makes the song undeniably her own. But don't think that Maysa is stuck in the past: not only can she keep up with the times, but she knows how to keep her artistic integrity while doing so. The end result is classy, soulful songs with modern touches rather than trendy production passing for songwriting. Case in point: seductive ballads "Everything" and "If It's Love" have rhythms and arrangements that sound as up-to-the-minute as anything, but they're laid behind compositions that are complete and mature ideas. The devestatingly sexy "Right Here, Right Now" is makeout music for grownups and succeeds at both mood and composition. The album's biggest triumph, however, is a song that could easily fit on MTV: "Mr. So Damn Fine" is a clever, confident attack on a player ("Did you really think you blew my mind? Sorry, but you didn't even come close") and the song's beats are as heavy as its melody is catchy...the end result is something ten times as fresh and entertaining as anything Ashanti, Tweet, and Alicia Keys combined could come up with. And through all of these musical moods, the one constant is her smoky, one-of-a-kind voice, and we're further treated to a diva with an exceptional upper register: even when pinning notes to the ceiling, Maysa never has to push to hit a note, and even her highest notes sound effortless.

To completely round out the material onhand, "Osaka" is a touching track in which Maysa tells the story of her son being born prematurely while she was on tour in Japan: "I was so afraid/so, so alone/the love of my family far back home." In a time of overt posturing and posing in music, this glimpse into Maysa's most personal emotions is a breath of fresh air. Then again, the same can be said of the whole project. Whether letting us in on her romantic desires, spiritual standards or dedication to family, Maysa's "Out of the Blue" is a fresh and much-needed oasis in the midst of modern music.

With so many vocalist out there, its difficult to fine an artist so rare and new. Maysa Leak makes it look easy. Clearly she captures vocal as if it was a band instrument. Those wanting to become singing should start by listening to this cd. Out of the Blue is another chapter in Vocals 101. Plain and simple, Maysa can sang!!! I love that on this cd, she explores her playful side with "Mr.So Damn Fine". While still relaxing her fans with "Everything and Blue Horizon". I actually can feel each note, crescendo, and pulse. This artist that clearly loves to sing. Maysa's voice is like a painting on a canvas. The colors and textures are bright, deep, and full of emotions. The title track "Out of the Blue" take you back to what music is suppose to be about. "Creative, fun and free" Oh, and the Earth Wind and Fire cut took me way back. Thank you Maysa, for showing us how it should be done.

I've been a fan of Maysa since the Incognito days, but as I've come to know her as a solo artist it's undeniable that this woman is one of the premier artists' of our time. Her Vocal Performance is especially MAJOR on "Out of the Blue" and it's a shame she doesn't get as much recognition as she deserves amidst a landscape of too many half-talents. Get to know her ... you won't be dissappointed.

I heard it the first time and said oh, no. But I stuck it into the car and haven't stopped listening to it. Over and Over. I love this cd. Smooth, Jazzy and the lyrics really hit home. You will not be disappointed with this purchase. A+

Maysa delivered a knock out punch with this here CD! Her first venture without the backing of Incognito and she not only nailed it shut, she buried it deep, dug it up and flung it out the ballpark! That's how serious it is! Her version of EWF's "Head to the sky" is enough to make one run and buy this CD, yet if you're still unsure, her duet with Will Downing on the brassy, latin tinged tune "Simply Life" is enough to make you leap before looking! She sang "Deep Water" for Incognito, but she really went into the deep end on this project! Well Done!

This CD is truely torture. You start with track one of course. After several months of playing it over and over again while the rest of your CD collection goes unused (I'm not kidding on this) leaves you suspicious you may be going around the bend. Finally, reason begins to return and you force yourself to listen to track 5, the reason you bought the CD in the firt place. You break out again, soon to discover track 10, then track 12. You feel pathetic because you don't know the names of the songs, just that your CD player shows only those numbers. I sometimes compare Maysa to Anita Baker, I feel there are striking similarities but also very distinct flavors. Some of the tracks are a little hokey, they have no meaning to me personally, but you can tell they come from very personal experiences she has lived. Oh well, I give her this opportunity, a fair trade for what she gives me on the rest of this CD. Thanks Maysa, you are a Babe!

Although I love and spend way too much money on CDs, only through Amazon.com did I come to know that a singer named Maysa existed. My loss, but not for long. Yet another reason for people to keep reading/posting reviews as I would have never been let in on one of music's best kept secrets.

I don't even know where to start, except that Maysa has controlled and elegant voice that has touches of Anita Baker, Chaka, and Sade but is entirely AN ORIGINAL. I would be surprised if Alicia Keys did not listen to Maysa while growing up. The production on this release is impecable as it never stands in the way of Maysa, but complements her in many different yet subtle ways. The song selection is outstanding as are the interludes.

My favorites: "Friendly Pressure" very elegant and controlled yet it grooves like few songs that I've heard in the jazz-pop genre. "Out Of The Blue" has a nice African beat and brakes into a jazzy showcase for Maysa. It also has a great chorus. "Simple Life" is a duet with the talented Will Downing. It is very sexy, has a tropical feel, and bring it home with some amazing Spanish guitar work. Without a doubt my favorite cut on the CD.

Since very few things are perfect, I could have done without "Mr. So Damn Fine" as it the production and song have that generic sound that is all over the radio waves. Also, the second part of the CD is not as consistently original and catchy as the first. Although I did like her take on "Family Affair".

As I have learned from reading about Maysa, she's had a very long career and first became known for fronting a band called "Incognito". I am not familiar with them so I'll check it out. This CD earns a solid 4 stars. I have a feeling that if Maysa were to shed some of the light jazz sound (which can at times not complement a song) and incorporate a take no prisoners approach that appear both in "Friendly Picture" and "Simple Life", she would easily earn 5 stars. Still 4 stars from me is a definite recommendation to buy an item. I hope to hear much more from this talented lady!

Buy 3 copies of this cd.
One for your car.
One for your home.
and one to share with a friend!
This is the perfect cd to chill with that special someone or by your damn self enjoying a glass of wine or whatever suits your fancy. This cd fits all moods and grooves!

I am so glad I made this purchase! I just bought it last Sunday and I have it on continuous play on my CD player. I like to absorb a new CD to connect with the singer's lyrics, their music and the spirit of the music. This CD has allowed me to do all three. Maysa seems comfortable in her own skin, she knows her range and stays within it. "Simple Life" is one of my favorites, featuring my favorite male singer, Will Downing. He takes me "there"! (and if you are a Will Downing fan, you know what I mean!) "Keep Your Head to the Sky", the Earth, Wind & Fire song, is oh so smooth with Maysa's version of it.

Buy this CD and just allow yourself to enjoy it.