Pebble to a Pearl [Slipcase] (CD - 2008)

Personnel: Nikka Costa (vocals, piano, background vocals); Jason Falkner (guitar, sitar); Justin Stanley (guitar, piano, Mellotron, drums); Chris Bruce (guitar); Keith Megna (acoustic guitar); John Shanks (banjo); Charlie Bisharat (violin); Dima Kourka, Dmitri Kourka (viola); Cameron Stone (cello); Jon Gries, Jon Gries (harmonica); Tim Orindgreff, Printz Board, Tim Izo Orindgreff (saxophone, trumpet); Elizabeth Lea (trombone); James Poyser (piano, Clavinet, Hammond b-3 organ, Moog synthesizer); Keith Ciancia, Keefus Ciancia (Clavinet, Moog synthesizer, voice box); Paul Searles (Wurlitzer organ); Shawn Davis (bass instrument); J.J. Johnson , James Gadson (drums); Davey Warf Rat Chegwidden, Dave Chegwidden (percussion); Jamie Lidell (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Russell Elevado.

Recording information: Henson Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA; Stellasound, Sherman Oaks, CA.

Photographer: Melanie Bellomo.

Arranger: Justin Stanley.

Australia's answer to the British flood of soul sisters ranging from Joss Stone and Amy Winehouse to Duffy and Adele, Nikka Costa is more of an R&B classicist than most. (She's even signed to a reactivated Stax Records, connecting her to the motherlode of southern soul.) PEBBLE TO A PEARL is a vintage-sounding 1970s-style soul album, all intoxicating pop-funk rhythms, wah-wah guitars, Booker T.-style organ, and Memphis horns. Highlights include the bluesy ballad "Love To Love You Less" and the extended Tina Turner-style vocal workout "Damn, I Said It First." minimize