The Baltimore native might not wail in a histrionic, gospel-inflected fashion like Aretha Franklin or Patti LaBelle, but her silky smooth, chocolaty-rich tones are imbued with a palpable soul power that can really touch her listeners.

Kicking off with the bossa nova-flavoured, smooth jazz sound of 'Am I Wrong (For Lovin' You?)' the album – which is Maysa's eighth long player to date and her fourth for Shanachie – blends original material with some interesting covers. Of the latter, there's a sultry take on Thelonious Monk's jazz classic ''Round Midnight,' and a deliciously plangent take on the standard 'What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life' (a tune composed by Michel LeGrand along with husband-and-wife lyricists Alan and Marilyn Bergman).

More jazzy moments are provided by commendable versions of 'Willow Weep For Me' – complete with muted trumpet and Ella Fitzgerald-style vocal scatting - 'When I Fall In Love,' and the Screamin' Jay Hawkins'-penned/Nina Simone-associated 'I Put A Spell On You.' Though they're familiar songs - and in lesser hands would sound a tad jaded - Maysa puts a novel spin on them and renders them fresh and new. That, of course, is the sign of a singer with a special interpretive gift. Maysa also proves herself a talented songwriter too – the title track (co-written with producer, Chris 'Big Dog' Davis) is a mesmeric slice of electro-disco boasting a subtle Latin undertow while 'Spend Some Time' and the after-hours slow-jam 'Honey Bee' are similarly infectious. Also listen out for 'Love Theory,' a smoochy duet with velvet-voiced crooner, Will Downing. It's just one of several standout moments on a superb set that blurs the boundary between soul and jazz and captivates from the first note to the last.