Motions of Love

Audio Mixer: Davy D.
Recording information: CDS Studio, Wallingford, CT; Estrogen Studios, Newark, NJ; Heavyweight Studios; Night Flight Studios, Fort Washington, MD; Rhema Vision Studios, Randallstown, MD; Secret Sound Studio, Middle River, MD; The Studio, Philadelphia, PA; The Upper Room II Studios, Philadelphia, PA; Wonderland Studios.
Photographer: Jun Kyeung.
Motions of Love, Maysa's fourth Shanachie album and first since 2008's Metamorphosis, leans more heavily toward adult contemporary R&B than smooth jazz. There are fewer flutes and silky guitars, while tasteful dancefloor grooves that recall mature, early-`80s R&B and crossover jazz are more common. It's a freer sound for the singer, who sounds reinvigorated -- evidently attributable to a breakup she was experiencing while recording -- and more like the offspring of Patti Austin than before. Stevie Wonder wrote and guests on harmonica and discreet background vocals on "Have Sweet Dreams," unsurprisingly one of the album's standouts. ~ Andy Kellman