This album was sadly overlooked during Summer of 2001. Although the album was a collaborative effort of skilled musicians, it had tunes that were radio friendly. After the release of "Like a Feather" and its association with the Tommy Hilfiger ads, the project never really took off. I actually feel this was one of the top 10 albums released last year. The songs cover a wide range of styles from rock, to soul, alternative, and funk. The title track was a definite homage to Sly Stone's "If You Want Me To Stay", and "Some Kind of Beautiful" has touches of early 80's Prince all over it.
?uestlove's drumming on the tracks "So Have I For You", "Nothing", and "Just Because" is simply amazing, while the production and instrumental skills of Justin Stanley are also on display, blending well with Nikka's voice. Not to mention that Nikka her self contributed in writing, co-producing, all vocals, keys, and guitar. Hopefully Nikka will have a chance to release another album. However I fear record company politics will cloud her vision as it does with many other true-musicians.

I bought this album because I had heard "Everybody Got Their Something", "Like A Feather" and "Some Kind Of Beautiful" on mp3 and I still can't believe how incredibly bad all, and I mean ALL of the other songs are.
What a waste of money.

I bought this cd at the same time I bought Alicia Keys' "Songs in A Minor". I enjoyed this cd overall much more than Alicia Keys. My favorite song is "Just Because". I took my daughter to see the Britney Spears movie "CrossRoads" and "So Have I For You" was in the movie. I thought that might help the album kick off a little with the younger crowd, but I guess not. Most people that saw her perform at the Celebration gave her great reviews. Unfortunately, we haven't heard much more about her.

Have you ever really listened to that album?! Please.
Towards the end of one song (can't remember the name), she starts screaming as if she was being raped in the studio or something. It's disgusting.

This is a beautiful and sometimes fonky cd - love it.

I also absolutely love this album. I also bought it the same time as Alicia Keys and listened to this album far more. I don't know about it being 'underrated', though. It got TONS of attention from citics. It just didn't sell...

Not really that overlooked, she got a lot of hype behind "Like A Feather".

FunkyMan said:

Good music don't sell anymore I'm afraid

ChimChimBadass said:

I agree, but this album is not good at all. It's RUBBISH.

Overlooked?
I thought this was a big hit from late last year.
She certainly toured plenty behind it.
And we talked about it plenty enuff around here.
Maybe you're just now catching on?

I met her this past February in Detroit when she was part of a concert I worked security at. This was at the State Theater. She was really nice, but expressed concern that her music wasn't really getting across 2 people. At the time, I wasn't really a fan of hers, so it was awkward kinda. I didn't want 2 lie and tell her I was her biggest fan, because the only song of her's I knew of was "Like a Feather", which I used 2 hate, but now I love. I still haven't picked up her cd though. She had nice things 2 say about Prince and doing the Celebration. when I asked her about her thoughts about The Rainbow Children, she said though the music is good, the lyrics didn't really sit well with her. But she said that if Prince feels like he's found what he's been looking 4 with the Jehovas Witnesses, then cool, but it's just not 4 her. She was cool.

The album was pretty good, but you must see her live. That's what really made me go back to the album. She rocks it and gets the crowd going. The band was so amazing. I haven't seen a band like that in ages. Just jamming and totally vibing with the crowd. I had to see her twice because not only is she strong vocally and can work it, the band is hypnotically funky.

funkyslsistah said:

Yes, the band was very reminiscent of a hardcore funk band!
You also got to see how well she shakes her pants!
A great moment for "ass-huggin'" jeans!

This album was easily one of the best releases of 2001. But as stated above, you must see her live to gain a full appreciation of what Nikka Costa has to offer.

I loved the album absolutely one of the best from last year. Its too bad more people didn't get into Nikka but with the current trends in music its no surprise.

Everyones' entitled to their opinion (even in Switzerland) but the album was/is incredible. If it could be topped, the live show was at a small venue and that little Red Head had everyone in the groove and in the palm of her hand. Just left that show goin' "damn".

Mindbells9 said:

interesting...but i completly understand the lack of interest...her musical style is all over the place and the simple-minded music buying public just dont want to be moved out of their comas...

of note: I bought the album based on a rollingstone's review that compared Nikka's debut to Wendy and Lisa's Fruit at the Bottom stage...Now, I found the album to be an interesting start to what might be a killer career but...theres something missing...after a great start the album sorta putters along and ends up dull and boring...and like Wendy, Nikka's got the knack for dramatic vocal executions...but unlike Wendy, Nikka doesnt have a Lisa to soften things out and the overkill starts to become annoying as hell...

i'll buy the next album..hopefully it will be a lil more focused...

Mindbells9 said:

I didn too and I freaked her out...Nikka is the shit. Regardless. She's a superhero.

Live She is Better but still nothing I'd get excited about.Her Album didn't do much for me.IMHO for what She was trying to do, Teena Marie could Whip Her Ass with Her Pinky Bent Backwards.

mistermaxxx said:

I've noticed in your previous posts that you always criticize someone with the comparison of another person. What do Nikka Costa and Teena Marie have in common?? Are you trying to make a correlation of white female artists that sing black music, because as a fan of both there is little to no connection. Have you ever judged anyone on their own merit without saying this person is good in relation to this one. Hell you can do that with everything, and often times you compare apples and oranges. Try to enjoy someone on their own merit without finding flaws in their art in relation to someone else's. I have to ask what have you recorded, you remind me of peole who critique litreary work, you can recall the history of everything yet you compare in relation to someone else's ability not your own. You remind me of Roger Ebert, dude can criticize the hell out of a movie, thumbs up etc. yet when he wrote the screenplay to "Beyond The Valley of The Dolls" is was pathetic. It's amazing how people live vicariously through those they admire at times. IMHO

Simply put,Nikka Costa is a talented musician who has been viciously overlooked by the music industry, period I think that she has a lot of funky soul that still needs to be unleashed, and hopefully, she'll be able to show her talents again sometime in the near future.

DorothyParkerWasCool - i'm really liking your taste!!!

First Max now Nikka...next you'll be posting how awesome Lenny is live in concert...

LOVED

THIS

ALBUM

This was an overall good debut album. Better than I thought it would be. I wasn't crazy about the complete rip off of one of my favorite Sly songs on the title track but...

Also the screaming one person referened was a segue of her singing when she was a kid. I could have done without that little bit myself.

GREAT ALBUM!!! WHY DID IT NOT DO BETTER???!!! I LOVED IT!!!

Oh yeah this album is bangin'. Definitely one of last years best releases. IMO.

Xpertlover said:

You are a crackhead. Seriously.

The first time i heard this album I couldn't believe my ears. I hadn't felt that good about an album since, i don't know, Sign?

The album was flawless from front to back, and her live show is nothing short of amazing.

This was the most overlooked album from last year.

And it was the by FAR the best album from last year.

And Alicia Keys isn't fit to be living on the same planet as Nikka Costa.

I dug it
MS

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

I have to ask you? why you even bothering talking to me? I didn't seek your thoughts out so please Refrain from trying to get at Me.if you don't like something say it&be done.or don't say Shit.

mistermaxxx said:

I guess my comment struck a chord. By the way it's not good to write like you talk, it's hard to translate at times. I do not understand that sentence structure at all. Please type so I can translate the text.