With strong, smooth vocals and a great jazz/blues sound, Shakura S’Aida‘s Ruf Records debut, Brown Sugar (April 13),makes for a pretty sweet treat.
Anything but shy in kicking off this follow-up to her 2006 Blueprint, the Toronto-based vocalist digs right in with the opening “Mr. Right,” then continues to command your attention with “Walk Out that Door” and “Gonna Tell My Baby,” featuring some notably fine guitar from Donna Grantis. Shakura quiets things down for a few songs beginning with “(Did It) Break Your Heart,” which, along with the closing “Outskirts of Memphis,” earn my votes for the album’s best songs. Another of the more timid tunes worth checking out is “This is Not a Love Song” (which, followed as it is by “Anti Love Song,” starts to give the impression she may not be all that into love songs), while a jazzy “Missing the Good and the Bad” and the funky title track also help make this a solid outing for the 2008 International Blues Challenge runner-up.
When it comes to Brown Sugar, you’re going to want a taste.