Shadows of Love (Love for Sale) - Melissa Forbes, Butler
You're My Alter Ego/Nothing Else Matters - Melissa Forbes, Baskin-Watson, Pame
Still - Melissa Forbes, Forbes, Jim
Blackheart Blues - Melissa Forbes, Forbes, Melissa
As I Sing - Melissa Forbes, Forbes, Melissa
Ex-lawyer turned singer-songwriter Melissa Forbes' debut release No More Mondays is a guaranteed cure for Monday-itis! An outstanding vocalist capable of singing anything from Aretha Franklin to 'Ave Maria', Melissa seamle... more »ssly integrates her Conservatorium jazz training with R&B grooves. Featuring a dynamic band including jazz legend John Hoffman on trumpet (Buddy Rich, Woody Herman), No More Mondays contains originals, standards and jazzified takes on popular tunes from Michael Jackson, D'Angelo and even Metallica. MRA. 2005.« less
Ex-lawyer turned singer-songwriter Melissa Forbes' debut release No More Mondays is a guaranteed cure for Monday-itis! An outstanding vocalist capable of singing anything from Aretha Franklin to 'Ave Maria', Melissa seamlessly integrates her Conservatorium jazz training with R&B grooves. Featuring a dynamic band including jazz legend John Hoffman on trumpet (Buddy Rich, Woody Herman), No More Mondays contains originals, standards and jazzified takes on popular tunes from Michael Jackson, D'Angelo and even Metallica. MRA. 2005.
"Melissa Forbes music is a combination of Diana Krall and Norah Jones when it comes to the depth of her vocal skills. There is a sadness and quietude in her music that reminds me the incomparable Sarah Mclachlan. Her music is so pure that it will leaves you with an unsatiable feeling of wanting listen to it over and over.
I came across Melissa Forbes music when I was doing some research on Neo-soul artists. A friend of me told me that if I liked Lizz Wright I may also like Melissa Forbes. I bought a cd through cdbaby.com and I was not disappointed. All the song are excellent, but my favorite are "Shadows of love" and "Black coffee/brown sugar".
Melissa Forbes while not well known in the Sates, she is Norah Jones of Australia, and her music scores big on the Jazz charts in the land of the Kangaroos. I would recommend this cd to any Jazz lover who wants to explore or make a transition to Soul-Jazz music. It may take a while for Melissa Forbes to get the credit she deserves in the States, but I hope that US audience will give her a chance and gets an opportunity to discover the sweet music of that gifted Jazz artist. Melissa Forbes lyrics are so deep that make appreciate the quality of message conveyed through her music.
Here is a sample of her lyrics. the song is "Shadows of Love"
"...Hangin' on the corner
Where do you go when the sun sinks down?
I know I'll never know you
You and I've been dealt different hands
I've learned to look the other way
So I can't see your pain
Life for rent, spirits spent, living in the
Shadows of love...""
Australia's version of Lisa Stansfield!
smoothjazzandmore | Clay, NY USA | 01/26/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Melissa Forbes studied law in her native Australia. After gving it much thought, she decided to make a career change and become a singer. Her debut album, "No More Mondays" shows that she made the right choice. Her voice is lively and soulful. If you're a fan of British R&B singer Lisa Stansfield, then you'll enjoy her exquisite style. The track arrangements on all the songs are robust and original, concentrating on the Contemporary Jazz and R&B genres. I absolutely loved the song, "Broken Wings (for Chet)". It's smooth sound really makes this CD work. Other highlights are "Thinking You Over" and the D'Angelo cover, "Black Coffee/Brown Sugar". Once this import finds American support, Melissa Forbes' career will take off! Outstanding debut!"
Terrific New Jazz Artist
Priscilla Circelli | Virginia Beach, VA United States | 11/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"No More Mondays by Melissa Forbes introduces us to a talented new jazz artist who in my opinion rivals Diana Krall. Her sultry and soothing voice in such songs as "Broken Wings" and "Thinking You Over" definitely establishes her as one of my favorite new performers. I was thrilled to see that Amazon is now carrying her CD. It is one any jazz fan will absolutely not want to miss."
Beautiful Album from an Undiscovered Artist!
Murray L. | New York City, USA | 05/14/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm not really into "jazz" per se but Melissa Forbes' jazz-soul-pop crossover style has won me over in a major way! From the superb vocals to the stunning production, "No More Mondays" is an album which oozes class. Melissa Forbes sings with power, soul, sincerity and warmth and she is backed by a top-rate band. I have listened to these songs over and over again and they're still satisfying me - a sure sign that something original is happening here! There are too many highlights to mention them all but of particular appeal for me include "Thinking You Over", "You're My Alter Ego/Nothing Else Matters" and the breathtakingly beautiful "As I Sing". If you're into quality music, beautiful vocals, and organic production, "No More Mondays" will most surely satisfy! Highly recommended. 5/5."