Asa - Beautiful Imperfection

Asa

01 Why Can't We 3:44 02 May Be 4:16 03 Be My Man 3:43 04 Preacher Man 4:45 05 Bimpé 3:27 06 The Way I Feel 5:02 07 Ok Ok 3:52 08 Dreamer Girl 3:40 09 Ore 4:40 10 Baby Gone 4:43 11 Broda Olé 3:55 12 Questions

"This Nigerian singer-songwriter might actually be a twenty-first century Bob Marley" - BBC [...] Nigerian songstress Asa released her eponymous debut 3 years ago to high acclaim. Its melodic blend of Soul, Folk, Reggae and African rhythms and her smoky vocals endeared her to many and her sophomore "Beautiful Imperfection" is sure to win her even more fans. This time around, she's incorporates a few retro Soul trimmings like on the opening sunny horn-peppered "Why Can't We". Next comes my favourite, "Maybe", a lilting Reggae song with deeply pensive lyrics looking at the current state of world insecurity. "There never used to be, this much attention to security, until the terror and catastrophe, now there's guns and war machines, maybe the sun will rise/maybe the stars will shine" she sings wistfully. "Be My Man" is bouncy organ/horn-drenched retro Soul, "while Preacher Man" is a lovely slice of acoustic Soul. The Reggae-ish "Bimpé" is one of three songs done in Yoruba, the others being the woozy "Oré" and "Broda Olé" (with an almost Country bounce). "The Way I Feel" is Jazzy, the gentle "Ok Ok" has a Rock tinge, while "Dreamer Girl" wouldn't sound out of place on a Corinne Bailey Rae album. "Baby Gone" is a languid guitar ballad of loss, while the delicate piano-driven "Questions" has a mournful horn break with lightly martial beats and lyrics questioning any and everything. Beautiful!

Price: $14.98