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