Nikka Costa captures an upbeat and inspiring mixture of soul, funk, and rock music on her latest album Pebble to A Pearl. Her latest batch of songs covers a multitude of genres mixed and shaped for listeners in a unique fashion. It is easy to tell that Costa is drawing from a wide range of influences and musical exposure.
Pebble to A Pearl is the culmination of a musician who has grown up in and around the music business. The daughter of Don Costa, Nikka had the opportunity to be raised among very notable musicians.
Don Costa was a music producer that helped launch the career of Paul Anka, and also worked frequently with Frank Sinatra. With these musical heavyweights as role models, Nikka Costa had the perfect upbringing for her chosen profession.
Costa released her first self-titled album when she was only 8 years old. A year prior to her debut album Nikka sang as an opener for the Police in front of 300,000 Chilean fans. Sadly, Nikka’s father passed away when she was only 10 years old. She has pushed forward through the years carrying on the family tradition.
There are a plethora of sounds coming through on A Pebble to Pearl. The first track opens up the listening experience with a mid-tempo jam. The drums are reminiscent of the Rolling Stones, but the vocals are more in the vein of Aretha Franklin.
To the trained ear, it is apparent that a lot of production and money was thrown into this project. The vocal performances are all very lucid and colorful, though perhaps the songs are lacking in originality.
Pebble to a Pearl is good for listeners who are into soul, rhythm, and blues, or light-hearted rock and roll. For music lovers who enjoy an accomplished vocalist, this is an album that is worth a listen. Being born in the thick of the music industry has helped Nikka bring together a superbly produced and well written album, though the effort feels limited to the confines of the mainstream music industry.