Maysa’s latest release Blue Velvet Soul is a laid back, soulful tour de force and the singer’s tenth album as an artist. The album was released June 18, 2013 on Shanachie Entertainment.

The singer co-wrote 8 of the 15 tracks on the album and covered Nancy Wilson’s “Quite Fire” as well as Mariah Carey’s “I Still Believe.” Mike City and Chris “Big Dog” Davis contributed several tracks to the album and Jean Paul “Bluey” Maunick of Incognito penned three originals.

The album opens with “Beautiful Dreamer,” co-written by Maysa and Eugen Botos, a ballad urging listeners to view the world from “the eyes of a child.” “Sophisticated Lover,” one of six collaborations between Chris “Big Dog” Davis and Maysa, follows the opener. The two also join forces on “Be There,” “Pouring Rain,” “When Your Soul Answers,” “Inside my Dream,” and “When You Touch Me” (the first single from the album).

“Put it On Me” is an energetic and disco-style track from Bluey Maunick and probably my favorite number on the album along with “What Can I Do” a funky, gospel influenced track.

Maysa, who hails from Baltimore, MD, knew from the age of six that she wanted to be a performer. After attending Morgan State University, she joined Stevie Wonder’s “Wonderlove” where she had the opportunity to perform on Oprah and The Tonight Show as well as the Jungle Fever soundtrack. She got her start as a lead vocalist as part of the jazz/funk group Incognito lead by Bluey Maunick after auditioning for the group in the early 90s. In addition to her work with Incognito, she has also worked with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Chaka Kahn, Gerald Veasley, Rick Braun, Will Downing, Jonathan Butler and Pieces of a Dream.

Her past releases include Maysa (1995), All My Life (2000), Out Of The Blue (2002), Smooth Sailing (2004), Sweet Classic Soul (2006), Feel The Fire (2007), Metamorphosis (2008), A Woman in Love (2010), and Motions Of Love (2011).

Get Blue Velvet Soul on Amazon

Title: Blue Velvet Soul
Artist: Maysa
Date: June 18, 2013
Genre: R&B
Label: Shanachie Entertainment

Tracks:

01 Beautiful Dreamer
02 Sophisticated Lover
03 Be There
04 Good Morning Sunrise
05 What Can I Do
06 Pouring Rain
07 When Your Soul Answers
08 Put It On Me
09 Inside My Dream
10 When You Touch Me
11 Quiet Fire
12 I Care
13 This Much
14 Nothing But You
15 Love Me Good

Get Blue Velvet Soul on Amazon

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Published by Shannon Kennedy

Shannon Kennedy is a vocalist and saxophonist living in Southern California. She is author of "The Album Checklist" and the founder of Teen Jazz. She has been contributing articles to music magaizines and websites since 2004.