2016 – Ruf Records
By Phillip Smith; Feb 27, 2016
I absolutely love the retro
R&B sounds on Ina Forsman’s
debut self-titled album. This Finnish sensation brings a luscious and soulful presence
to every song she sings. Forsman’s influences begin when she was
just seven years old and received her first Christina Aguilera album from her aunt. Much like Aguilera, Forsman is not
afraid to use the power in her voice. Her style reminds me of my all-time
favorites, Amy Winehouse, Diana Ross, and
Lana Del Rey.
I can’t help but sway back
and forth as Forsman sings the blues
so sweetly in “Talk To Me”. The
harmonica accompaniment from Helge
Tallqvist is downright terrific. Constructed
within a slightly ominous arena, “Devil May Dance Tonight” is one damn cool
song too. It’s a little bit twangy, and yet
very suave. The piano and brass-laced “Bubbly
Kisses”, is tackled with a breathtaking sultry intensity. This track is magnificent. Forsman
concludes the album with a sweet and sexy cover of Nina Simone’s “I Want a Little Sugar in my Bowl”, in which pianist Nick Connolly and Mark Kazanoff on saxophone, create a perfectly mellow and intimate
atmosphere. This one is very nice indeed.
This dazzling album gets my
highest accolades. It’s a superb listen from start to finish.
