Brooklyn native and renaissance woman Marla Mase is joined by The True Groove All-Stars for this ninth album that channels the energy of Patti Smith, Lou Reed, Frank Zappa and Iggy Pop.
“Things That Scare Me” gets the listen off to a lively start, where group vocals, no lack of rhythm and even funk nods are present. “Falling Sideways” then trims the volume and pace back with folk ideas entering the soft guitars and thoughtful storytelling that welcomes Mark Henry’s saxophone.
Deeper into Side A, the indeed dance floor-ready “Dance The Tango” puts Leroy “Lefty” Thompson’s frisky drums to good use alongside the harmonic singing, while “Always” welcomes electronics and pop ideas into the pretty singing and dreamy ambience.
The back half leads with the soulful “Half-Life,” where effects and mood are key, but it’s the anthemic rock and hip-hop of “Truth Comes Down,” which features Half Pint and Touchy Feely, that alone makes the album worth a spin thanks to the thumping punk and melodic yet gritty song craft.
Landing near the end, the scrappy and buzzing “Piece Of Peace” allows for Mase’s voice to soar, and “Satellite Of Love,” by Lou Reed, exits with all the glam appeal of the original wrapped up in Mase’s inimitable and introspective delivery.
The songs here were all fleshed out in the last 15 years and are remastered. They illustrate a highly eclectic approach, where guitar rock, ’70s disco, French pop, rap and even grunge bouts are in attendance. Contributions on guitar and bass from James Dellatacoma and Tomas Doncker must be mentioned, too, as they help fuel these raw observations and unfiltered art from a performer who got into songwriting in her 40s, but is quickly making up for lost time.