Nikka Costa : Releases >>
Information provided by Amazon.com
Everybody Got Their Something >>
Nikka Costa's fiercely bootylicious first single, "Like a Feather"--that song with the thick, clapped 16th notes--has already garnered the 28-year-old singer one hell of a buzz, and for the most part, she's got the goods to back it up. Already a platinum-selling artist in Europe and South America, the Tokyo-born, L.A.-bred singer's stateside debut bulges with ambition. It's a mixed bag of musical tricks that's equal parts '70s-style funk, hazy Led Zeppelin-inspired psychedelia, and angst-ridden alternachick yowling, with healthy dollops of soul, hip-hop, and thrash thrown in for good measure. Produced by Costa, Australian rocker Justin Stanley (who's also the singer's husband), and high-profile New York City DJ Mark Ronson, the album works best when it piles on the noise--like on the standout "Tug of War," which features the unmistakable rim-shot work of Roots drummer ?uestlove. On that track, a flurry of scratched samples, layers of soundboard-smeared noise, and a few luscious string sweeps break into gospel-choir harmonies that swirl gorgeously beneath Costa's reedy mezzo-soprano wails. It's a shame that she can't match this intensity on sparser down-tempo ballads like "Nothing" and "Just Because," where she sounds like Fiona Apple's slightly less annoying older sis. As the album's title says, everybody got their something, and Costa sounds best when she sticks to hers. --Sylvia W. Chan
can'tneverdidnothin' >>
Somewhere on a soulful musical timeline between Sly Stone and Joss Stone, you'll find Nikka Costa. While many find chart success by putting out palpable but forgettable pop/soul mixes, with "can'tneverdidnothin'" Costa has once again written and recorded a funk/soul/rock mix that rises her above the plethora of pseudo-soul. Coming from a family tree with deep musical roots (her father Don was a well-respected producer/arranger who worked with Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.), Nikka Costa began her recording career at the age of eight, where she scored a European hit with her cover of "Out Here On My Own" from the movie Fame. For the next 20 years, Costa put out a handful of releases she herself has downplayed as inferior before coming into her first considered `real' solo effort, the impressive, soul-filled Everybody Got Their Something. For her new release, the funk and rock has been turned up considerably; Costa's shining moments of uptempo strength come via the funk-heavy tracks, most notably during the cover of Tina Turner's "Funkier Than A Mosquito's Tweeter", with its spectacular horn section. The CD's other highlights come in the ballads, most specifically the disc's two closers, the tender "Hey Love" and the raw emotion of "Fatherless Child" about the passing of her legendary dad. "can'tneverdidnothin'" is a disc that is rare in it's authentic, sincere groove, and it seems likely that as Costa continues to grow, so will the depth of her music. --Denise Sheppard
Like a Feather >>
No U.S. release exists for 'Like A Feather', the first single off the hit international recording artist's domestic debut album, Everybody Got Their Something. Tracks, 'Like A Feather' & two previously unreleased non-album tracks, 'Heaven Sinner' & 'Hope
can'tneverdidnothin' (Clean) >>
Somewhere on a soulful musical timeline between Sly Stone and Joss Stone, you'll find Nikka Costa. While many find chart success by putting out palpable but forgettable pop/soul mixes, with "can'tneverdidnothin'" Costa has once again written and recorded a funk/soul/rock mix that rises her above the plethora of pseudo-soul. Coming from a family tree with deep musical roots (her father Don was a well-respected producer/arranger who worked with Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.), Nikka Costa began her recording career at the age of eight, where she scored a European hit with her cover of "Out Here On My Own" from the movie Fame. For the next 20 years, Costa put out a handful of releases she herself has downplayed as inferior before coming into her first considered `real' solo effort, the impressive, soul-filled Everybody Got Their Something. For her new release, the funk and rock has been turned up considerably; Costa's shining moments of uptempo strength come via the funk-heavy tracks, most notably during the cover of Tina Turner's "Funkier Than A Mosquito's Tweeter", with its spectacular horn section. The CD's other highlights come in the ballads, most specifically the disc's two closers, the tender "Hey Love" and the raw emotion of "Fatherless Child" about the passing of her legendary dad. "can'tneverdidnothin'" is a disc that is rare in it's authentic, sincere groove, and it seems likely that as Costa continues to grow, so will the depth of her music. --Denise Sheppard
Everybody Got Their Something >>
Nikka Costa's fiercely bootylicious first single, "Like a Feather"--that song with the thick, clapped 16th notes--has already garnered the 28-year-old singer one hell of a buzz, and for the most part, she's got the goods to back it up. Already a platinum-selling artist in Europe and South America, the Tokyo-born, L.A.-bred singer's stateside debut bulges with ambition. It's a mixed bag of musical tricks that's equal parts '70s-style funk, hazy Led Zeppelin-inspired psychedelia, and angst-ridden alternachick yowling, with healthy dollops of soul, hip-hop, and thrash thrown in for good measure. Produced by Costa, Australian rocker Justin Stanley (who's also the singer's husband), and high-profile New York City DJ Mark Ronson, the album works best when it piles on the noise--like on the standout "Tug of War," which features the unmistakable rim-shot work of Roots drummer ?uestlove. On that track, a flurry of scratched samples, layers of soundboard-smeared noise, and a few luscious string sweeps break into gospel-choir harmonies that swirl gorgeously beneath Costa's reedy mezzo-soprano wails. It's a shame that she can't match this intensity on sparser down-tempo ballads like "Nothing" and "Just Because," where she sounds like Fiona Apple's slightly less annoying older sis. As the album's title says, everybody got their something, and Costa sounds best when she sticks to hers. --Sylvia W. Chan
Everybody Got Their Something >>
Japanese pressing of her debut album currently getting loads of airplay on her ace single for 'Like A Feather' which is a cross between Lenny Kravitz & Prince. This Japanese album includes one bonus track, 'I Don't Want To Be The Rain' which is not available on the import single to 'Like A Feather'. 13 tracks in all including a hidden bonus track that trails track 12. 2001 release.
Can'tneverdidnothin' >>
Japanese pressing of the vocalist's sophomore album, scheduled to include one bonus track. Details TBA. Virgin.
New Release >>
Spin This >>
Spin This //
1. Hash Pipe - Weezer
2. Purple Hills - D12
3. South Side - Moby
4. Weapon of Choice - Fatboy Slim
5. School of Hard Knocks - P.O.D.
6. Change - Deftones
7. Stupify - Disturbed
8. 19-2000 - Gorillaz
9. Breakdown - Tantric
10. Planet Rock - Paul Oakenfold presents Afrika Bambaata & The Soulsonic Force
11. It Began in Afrika - The Chemical Brothers
12. Like a Feather - Nikka Costa
13. Natural - Gang Starr
14. Lapdance - N.E.R.D.
15. Romeo - Basement Jaxx
16. Crystal - New Order
17. Rexall - Dave Navarro
18. Shiver - Coldplay
19. Pyramid Song - Radiohead
Everybody Got Their Something >>
Nikka Costa's fiercely bootylicious first single, "Like a Feather"--that song with the thick, clapped 16th notes--has already garnered the 28-year-old singer one hell of a buzz, and for the most part, she's got the goods to back it up. Already a platinum-selling artist in Europe and South America, the Tokyo-born, L.A.-bred singer's stateside debut bulges with ambition. It's a mixed bag of musical tricks that's equal parts '70s-style funk, hazy Led Zeppelin-inspired psychedelia, and angst-ridden alternachick yowling, with healthy dollops of soul, hip-hop, and thrash thrown in for good measure. Produced by Costa, Australian rocker Justin Stanley (who's also the singer's husband), and high-profile New York City DJ Mark Ronson, the album works best when it piles on the noise--like on the standout "Tug of War," which features the unmistakable rim-shot work of Roots drummer ?uestlove. On that track, a flurry of scratched samples, layers of soundboard-smeared noise, and a few luscious string sweeps break into gospel-choir harmonies that swirl gorgeously beneath Costa's reedy mezzo-soprano wails. It's a shame that she can't match this intensity on sparser down-tempo ballads like "Nothing" and "Just Because," where she sounds like Fiona Apple's slightly less annoying older sis. As the album's title says, everybody got their something, and Costa sounds best when she sticks to hers. --Sylvia W. Chan