Nikka Costa did something good. Very good. Releasing her 3rd Lp free of a major label , instead working with the indie gofunkyyourself records along with Stax Records. Which makes sense because this record stanks of Stax records classics. It’s all there.
The opening single “Stuck To You” has swinging soul drums and tasty hammond work. Ms. Costa relies on one of her favorite lyric writing tools of listing. Couple that with the hand claps it’s hard not to sing along.
On the title track “Pebble to a Pearl” she evokes more Stevie Wonder than most of her contemporary R&B artist peers. Shit she almost brings more Stevie than Stevie. Almost.
Also notable is the track “Without Love” which starts at so strong the track could easily fit on Al Green’s last album produced by Quest love. I have to say their is a striking similarity in the chorus of the song to the song from the Hairspray Soundtrack song of the same name. Which doesn’t really matter cause I do like them both.
There is so many good performances on this lp it is a 4th quarter must have. In stores October 14th 2008.
