L.A.-based soul and funk singer Nikka Costa returns from a six-year hiatus focused on motherhood, to release her superb disco and soul-fused progressive album “Dirty Disco” on 16th August 2024 via Go Funk Yourself Inc.
Known for her powerful vocals, dynamic stage presence, and diverse musical influences, Nikka returns from a musical career break with future-forward disco-inspired sounds on the 10-track gem, “Dirty Disco”, recorded with and produced by Justin Stanley [Prince, Jamie Lidell, Beck].
Along with the talents of versatile musicians such as Brandon Coleman [Kamasi Washington, Thundercat, Donald Glover, Flying Lotus], Greg Phillinganes [Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton], and Kaveh Rastegar [John Legend, Beck], each performance offers a glimpse into Nikka Costa’s immense talent and charismatic stage presence with previous support shows for Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Coldplay, Pink and many more big names.
Born into the lineage of renowned producer and arranger Don Costa, from the tender age of seven, she embarked on a journey marked by two full-length albums, world travel, and performances to crowds of unprecedented size, laying the foundation for an extraordinary upbringing as both a woman and a musician.
In her formative years, Nikka’s influences spanned from the soulful melodies of Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin to the infectious rhythms of Motown and Stax.
With a string of critically acclaimed albums, beginning with her 2001 Virgin debut, “Everybody Got Their Something,” Nikka emerged as a luminary in the “nu-soul” landscape. She is renowned for her signature blend of American soul, funk, and rock.
Under the guidance of icons like Prince, Nikka flourished, touring alongside luminaries such as Lenny Kravitz, Coldplay, and Beck, and collaborating with esteemed artists like Mark Ronson, D’Angelo, and Femi Kuti. She was a featured guest on Queens of the Stone Age record “Villains”.
Her accolades include MTV Music Award nominations, chart-topping European singles, and a stirring performance at the 2019 Chris Cornell tribute concert at The Forum in L.A. Beyond her prowess as a performer, Nikka’s songwriting skills have left an indelible mark, crafting compositions for film, television, and for fellow legends Prince and Eric Clapton.
The title track of the new LP “Dirty Disco” opens proceedings with a killer track in the vibe of Janet Jackson, Madonna’s disco period, Prince, Sylvester and sprinkled with juicy Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis-style production vibes.
“It’s Just Love” with its infectious, choppy, funky guitar should keep you on your feet shaking that tush.
Unashamed retro vibes across this record, but disco has made a comeback in the clubs and on the radio in recent times, and this project is bang on-trend for that resurgence.
Had “Dirty Disco” come out in the 70s or 80s, this would have nudged elbows with the likes of MJ and Prince in the upper reaches of the charts back then, for sure.
“Dance ‘N Forget” is a funking great track, my fave of the set, with nods towards P Funk/George Clinton – and if this one doesn’t get you shaking your booty, best check your pulse quick.
“Glitter In My Tears” is surely out and out inspired by the late and the great Purple One and all the better for it.
The first five tracks really funk it up, and we wait until cut # six ,”Satellite Girl” to slow things down a tad, with a lovely mid-tempo track that showcases a silky smooth soulful vocal.
Another slower one is “All That I R” and some higher register vocals, before we get back to the groove-soaked, horn-laden disco funk of “Unsubscribe”. Sweet soul music on “Slow Emotion”, the penultimate track, before the breathy and throbbing closer, “Connectivity”.
Not a duff track among these 10 and my bet is there’s a rich seam of gold nuggets here for the hip hop, rap and grime community to dig into for samples, across this wonderful long player and a welcome return after six years for Nikka and her talents.
- A big fat Five Stars and our ‘Album of the Month’ for August 2024, deservedly so….Now for live shows in the UK please and that’s the kind of Costa I’ll pop out for any day….
Nikka’s “Track Record:”
1. First song you recall hearing as a child?
“Blueberry Hill” by Fats Domino.
2. First single you owned?
“Whitelines” 12” remix by Grandmaster Flash.
3. First LP/album you owned?
The Pretenders’ and Madonna’s first records.
4. First CD you owned?
Ooh, this ones hard because I used to steal my brother’s records, so I had a lot of hand me downs. But maybe Depeche Mode.
5. Last music you bought and in what format (CD/vinyl/digital download)?
I’ve been buying old favourites lately because I’m learning how to DJ, so the last one I bought was “Gettin Kicked Off, Havin Fun“ by Betty Davis [on her 1975 album “Nasty Gal” – ‘Gettin has no g on the end and no apostrophe!].
6. Which album would you be happy to receive as a gift?
“To Pimp A Butterfly” by Kendrick Lamar on vinyl.
7. Favourite album? (Choose more than one if need be…)
“Fulfillingness’ First Finale” by Stevie Wonder – or “Music Of My Mind ” also by Stevie.
8. Best record ever made (can be single/album/EP – and choose more than one if need be)?
“Let It Be” by The Beatles has to be one, “Songs In The Key Of Life” by Steve Wonder, “OK Computer” by Radiohead, “Sign Of The Times” by Prince, “Aretha Live at The Fillmore” by Aretha Franklin, “Voodoo” by D’Angelo, “Grace” by Jeff Buckley.
9. Guilty secret (or anything unusual or perhaps unexpected) in your music collection?
Louis Cole: “Dance Of Doom”. I used to listen to it with our son when he was little and it’s such a JAM!
10. What does music mean to you and how does it make you feel?
Music has always been there like air or food or sleep. I can’t imagine a world or life without it and even if I lost my hearing, I’d still hear music in my head. It’s the backdrop to all of our lives and is there for us for all time, and all aspects of a life, to help us define how we feel when we have no words to express ourselves.
Sometimes music is the only way and always knows how to ‘describe’ the human experience. It connects us all on such a deep level, how it moves us is almost like another sense; like seeing or tasting. It helps us know ourselves and each other. It’s everything.
11. Which song or album is a guaranteed mood booster?
“You Can Make It If You Try” by Sly and the Family Stone. Anything by James Brown. “As” by Stevie Wonder
12. Which song or album would be the soundtrack to a film about your life?
“Corners Of My Mind” by me.
13. Your favourite driving track or music to exercise to?
I ride a Peloton [exercise bicycle] at home, so Kendrick Lamar gets me going – and Pharrell Williams, and Beyonce (pre-country!) As for driving, Bob Marley is perfect to chill me out in L.A. traffic.
14. Best song or album for a romantic moment?
“A Song For You” by Donny Hathaway, or “Kind Of Blue” by Miles Davis.
15. Which song was played for the “First Dance” at your wedding (if you are married) or which song would you choose if you did get married?
We didn’t have a first dance at our wedding – too traditional! But we had a helluva time, and I have no idea what songs we played. I was on cloud nine the whole night.
16. Your choice of song to sing at karaoke?
I hate karaoke! Do NOT pass me the book of songs to choose from!
17. Which song takes you back to your childhood – and to which specific memory/memories?
My childhood memories are a mixture of what my older brother was listening to, like Led Zeppelin, The Beatles… and his record player blaring through the halls of our house.
Then there was what my dad was working on at any given moment, like orchestrations for Frank Sinatra, and going to the record plant after school and doing homework in the orchestra pit or control room.
Then of course a huge chunk of my childhood memories are of touring my own first record when I was eight. So the song “On My Own” from the movie “Fame” was an immense part of my memories as well.
18. Favourite band (or bands)?
Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, Sly and the Family Stone. I love Gabriels, and Khruangbin [psychedelia band from Texas] at the moment.
19. Favourite singer (or singers)?
Aretha, Chaka, Etta, Ella, Stevie Wonder, D’Angelo…
20. Which song would you like played at your funeral?
“As” by Stevie Wonder
Words: Steve Best
