Search - Maysa :: Out of the Blue

The Godess of Goodness returns

Girlfriend | NJ | 10/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Maysa offers a musical oasis with "Out of the Blue"

John Jones | Chicago IL | 08/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Maysa!!! If you don't know than you ain't Livin

Lady Caramel | New York | 08/19/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."