Nov. 9, 2011
The new release from vocalist Maysa, Motions of Love, leads off in an appropriate and symbolic manner with her simulating a flight announcement of a plane having reached its 
cruising altitude. She invites us to settle back and “enjoy the journey into Maysa’s uncharted territory.” This is about as vivid and accurate as a bit of imagery can be as the marvelous mega-talented vocalist pilots us through the new grooves of this once again marvelous production of incredible sound and feeling. Can this iconic voice ever miss??
Working with keyboardist/engineer/producer Chris “Big Dog” Davis, a name always in demand by the best, Maysa sets out taking us by the hand and escorting us through her various musical moods and adventures, beginning with the driving, Incognito-style “Get Wit Me,” sashaying through the cute and sexy mid-tempo “Come Dance With Me,” and moving through some of the most ear-enticing tracks she’s performed to date.
Bringing on board the renowned vocalist Dwele on “Flower Girl,” having saxman and label mate Kim Waters co-author “You Won’t Find Your Way,” and—a killer gesture—musical genius Stevie Wonder co-write with Kimberly Brewer, produce, and perform on the melodic “Have Sweet Dreams” were, without question, marvelous moves. Needing nothing more than her voice, the lady knows how to go even further to consistently bring her productions to an unsurpassable level.
Her gracious nod to the work of Angela Bofill is heart-filling as she belts out the tender “I Try” as only she can.
It’s always one thing for Maysa to concoct such sweet and effective melodies and quite another to experience her dead-on and witty lyrics. The two create a picture of excellence time and again. Cases in point would be all of the above and the sweet yet heart-wrenching title track and the sassy up-tempo “Your Name’s Not On the List” (you just can’t miss the cleverness of the latter).
By the time this “plane” lands, I’ve no doubt that all passengers will be reluctant to disembark. Air Maysa remains one of the most comfortable, pleasant, and alive flights you’ll ever experience. Motions of Love is proof positive of that. – Ronald Jackson
