Search - Marla Gibbs :: It's Never Too Late

Very Relaxing and Versatile Set from Ms. Gibbs!

RetroRhythms | USA | 04/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As an avid fan of 80's sitcom 227, I was exposed on several occasions to the vocal talents of Marla Gibbs. And I always hoped that she would one day release an album...but I didn't think that wish would come true! Luckily, it finally has!



This 14-track CD flows very easily and is full of life throughout! The theme, "It's Never Too Late to Live Life," is inspiring, and that feel-good vibe permeates all of the music here -- even the few songs that focus on the down side of love and relationships. Concerning the latter, that is the subject matter on two surprisingly urban-contemporary-sounding numbers toward the end of the set ("Game" and "Where Have You Gone"). These tunes find Marla in a mode reminiscent of Erykah Badu, with the instrumental backings of an Angie Stone-esque setup! However, the majority of the material is in a pleasant jazz form that is decidedly accessible to listeners across the board.



Whether she's singing her own compositions like the comforting "Don't Tell Me Not to Dream" or the swingin' "Countin' the Days," or covering classics like "Time After Time," Marla strikes just the right balance between gutsiness and pizazz to appeal to even casual jazz listeners like myself. Her voice has a pure, supple quality that belies her years and easily adapts to the mood of each song."