Stuck on Nikka Costa

"Stax is the epitome of what I'm about - that was the original, integrated soul music. That's the vibe that moved me about soul music when I was twelve, and it moves me still."

-Nikka Costa on signing with the newly relaunched Stax Records

Can I share with you how excited I am about getting to see Nikka Costa in concert on the 23rd? Try to infinity and beyond. Yea, her new album Pebble to a Pearl is that off the hook! Let's rewind for a second before we get to the here and now though. If you're not familiar with Nikka, her last name might ring a bell, especially for older music listeners (both in terms of their age or the music they listen to's age). Her father was legenday arranger and producer Don Costa, who worked with Frank Sinatra starting in the early 60's. With music being in her family, she released her first single at nine years old, a 45 containing her cover of (Out Here) On My Own from the musical Fame.

She released a handful of albums in Europe and South America but it wasn't until 2001 that she hit the States with Everybody Got Their Something, followed by Can'tneverdidnothin' in 2005, and now her third album Pebble to a Pearl. Listening to her latest and comparing it to previous albums, its evident that she's only getting better. Not to say that her first was no good, it's just that she's developing a voice and style distinctively her own. Befitting her new label, Pebble to a Pearl really brings the funk, and the streaks of soul that were tantalizingly present before are now fully shining through.

Her new album came out yesterday, and if you enjoyed any of her previous work in the slightest, you're going to love it. Here are a handful of track to get you excited for it, as well as for the tour. The first, Stuck To You, is the album opener and is just rambunctious funky fun. The second, Someone For Everyone, slows down into a more soulful groove. And the other pair are older favorites. Enjoy 'em all!

Nikka Costa - Stuck To You : Pebble to a Pearl
(watch the video)

Nikka Costa - Someone For Everyone : Pebble to a Pearl

one from her last album:

Nikka Costa - Swing It Around : Can'tneverdidnothin'

and one from her American debut album:

Nikka Costa - Like A Feather : Everybody Got Their Something

Visit her website, her label Stax Records, and become her friend on MySpace.

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Tour Dates

15-Oct Orlando, FL The Social
17-Oct Atlanta, GA The Loft
19-Oct Baltimore, MD Recher Theatre
20-Oct New York, NY Webster Hall
21-Oct Philadelphia, PA World Café Live
23-Oct Boston, MA Showcase Live
24-Oct Burlington, VT Higher Ground
25-Oct Montreal, QC Saints
26-Oct Toronto, ON El Mocambo
28-Oct Chicago, IL Park West
29-Oct Milwaukee The Rave
30-Oct Minneapolis, MN Varsity