Search - Teena Marie :: Beautiful

Before her untimely death at the age of 54, Teena Marie, known as the Ivory Queen of Soul or simply Lady Tee and as one of the only white artists ever signed to Motown Records, was working on her 14th and latest album, Beautiful. Recorded at her home studio and finished except for final mixes, Beautiful was seen through to its conclusion by Teena's 20-year-old daughter Alia Rose, who sings with her Mom on two tracks, a cover of Curtis Mayfield's "Give Me Your Love" and "Rare Breed," which she co-wrote (Alia co-wrote two more songs on the album, "Sweet Tooth" and the title song). The first single, "Luv Letter," is an homage to Teena's Motown roots, with nods to Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours," and a dedication to Alia's father, who just happened to be a postman, like in the Marvelettes' song of the same name.

Beautiful is a mother's gift to her daughter, who returns the gesture the only way she knows how, by completing it. The end result is a true labor of lov