Nikka Costa - "Pebble to a Pearl"

Funky Soul

Singer-songwriter Nikka Costa is one of those artists whose work is much more appreciated in Europe, Australia and elsewhere than it is here in her native United States. But despite that, she keeps on keepin' on and makes songs not directed at the mainstream or with American music charts in mind, but aimed at lovers of funky Soul and soulful Funk. And on her latest release, Pebble To A Pearl, released in the U.S. on Oct. 14, 2008, Nikka shows that even though she's not a household name in America, she's the real deal when it comes to making the type adult contemporary Soul, Funk and Blues that sticks to your ribs.

Pebble To A Pearl is produced by Nikka's husband, Justin Mitchell Stanley, and is sort of a more funkdafied version of the type of music that we've heard in recent years from other Blue-Eyed Soul artists like Jamie Lidell, Teena Marie and Anastacia. Justin Stanley, in fact, has collaborated with Jamie Lidell in the past, and Pebble To A Pearl does share some similarities with Jamie's latest album, Jim.

But the strongest comparisons that can be made about this album are to the '70s Soul and Funk of artists like Sly & The Family Stone, Otis Redding and Stevie Wonder, as well as to the late, great rock hippie Janis Joplin. Songs like the breezy, pop-leaning "Stuck To You," and the awesomely funky title track are definitely worth repeat listening, as is bluesy yet upbeat broken-heart song "Crybaby." And the upbeat is material is the album's strong suit. When Nikka strays toward more mid-tempo material, such as on "Love to Love You Less" and "Someone For Everyone," it exposes her biggest flaw: she's a somewhat mediocre vocalist.

But although her voice can't stand up to most of the legends mentioned earlier in this review, Nikka makes up for it with her obvious passion for the material. The first half of the album is especially good; most of the songs click on all levels: lyrics, vocals and production. But around halfway through the 12 tracks, the song quality dips slightly but noticibly. Sometimes the fault is in the vocals, sometimes the song arrangement, sometimes something else. But when added up, these various flaws hold the album back from being as great as it could be.