Search - Maysa :: Maysa

Outstanding solo release for the voice of Incognito

John Jones | Chicago IL | 03/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

A must for

John Jones | 11/03/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

On Her Own

C. Brown | Atlanta, GA, United States | 01/18/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."