Everybody Got Their Something

Nikka Costa is a rare treasure; a one-time child star who has grown into an unpretentious, genuinely talented adult. Listening to "Everybody Got Their Something" there is no doubt that she was signed to Cheeba Sound (home of D'Angelo) on the basis of having a fabulous voice and some great songs, rather than her precocious childhood.

But what a childhood! First single issued age five, supporting The Police in front of a 300,000 strong crowd in Chile at age eight& admittedly having a famous father helped. Don Costa arranged, composed and produced Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand and Sarah Vaughan amongst others - by her own admission Nikka was hugely influenced by both her father's music and those he hung out with. A varied past has bought with it a history of influences, in particular Sly Stone, with the title track on the album "Everybody Got Their Something" being only a hairs breadth short of plagiarism but this is by no means a soul album. "So Have I For You" has a real Nirvana ring whilst "Hope It Felt Good" brings with it the kind of rock guitar that would make Prince weep. The real strength of this album is its crossover appeal; funky instrumentation, a voice that is undeniably soul (think Aretha Franklin meets Stevie Wonder with perhaps a little Marvin Gaye) and plenty of denim-ripping rock thrown in for good measure. Ultimately, this album is not ground breaking in its originality. Musically, it sounds like something Prince or maybe Lenny Kravitz could have written, however Nikka has a unique voice and great song-writing potential which combined make this a good, solid grower of an album. And of all the people she could have chosen to be influenced by, she sure as hell chose some of the best.