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Nikka CostaCan't Never Did Nothin' Virgin/EMI I admit to knowing little of Nikka Costa before listening to this album, but I was pleasantly surprised by her mix of various musical styles (funk, soul, an extensive rock influence), creating a sound that is familiar yet unique. She's a little like Joss Stone, a little like Macy Gray, and even a little like Sheryl Crow. She even hints at Anastasia (and her curly mane on the cover reminds me of Shakira with red hair). Each of the 11 tracks has an overflow of energy and spunk. Till I Get To You is an original, funky song that runs through each letter of the alphabet as a past lover until the letter 'U': "My lover A was absolutely all right / but my lover B would bump my tunes in his ride / then my lover C caught me in the cookie jar / 'cause my lover D was too delicious to deny." Can't Never Did Nothin' has a more aggressive sound, with a catchy beat and a lot of lung use, then Costa slows the pace at the beginning of Fooled You Baby then speeds it up again midway through the track. She can also carry a ballad, proven by I Gotta Know and the desperately glum Fatherless Child. Lenny Kravitz features on a few of the tracks, playing drums and bass. The album concludes with a mellow hidden track Sugar In My Bowl. Costa may not be to superstar level yet, but she has a lot of talent and 'Can't Never Did Nothin'' shows plenty of potential.  |
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