Maysa: Sweet Classic Soul

When not recording with British funk-jazz band Incog-nito, singer and songwriter Maysa Leak crafts pop-jazz tunes on CDs that too often get lost among the pile of similarly soulful efforts. But on her latest, just glance at the title to see where Maysa’s going. And with radio’s cover-song love in full swing, there’s a good chance she’ll perk up some ears.

Maysa’s strength is in the lower register, like Anita Baker, which is well suited to smoky selections like the Roberta Flack hit “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face” and Barry White’s “Playing Your Game Baby.” Elsewhere, Maysa displays her vocal range with the falsetto-leaning “Betcha by Golly Wow” by the Stylistics and Luther Vandross’ “Love Won’t Let Me Wait.” Also getting the Maysa treatment are Chaka Khan and Rufus’ “Any Love,” Stevie Wonder’s “All I Do” and “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” and Rose Royce’s sublime “Wishing on a Star.”

Originally Published April 1, 2006