Album review: Ayla Brown's 'Ayla Brown Live!'

In her first release since 2006’s ‘Forward,’ Ayla Brown connects with veteran R&B acts The James Montgomery Blues Band and The Uptown Horns on her live album ‘Ayla Brown Live!’ The album, courtesy of Double Deal Brand Records, marks a critical step forward in Brown’s recording career.

Leaving behind the polished feeling found in the comfort of the recording studio, Brown takes to the stage with the aforementioned bands for great, raw vocal performances.

Kicking things off on the basketball-themed “Breaking Away,” which appeared on ‘Forward,’ Brown shows off her spunky side while hanging onto a few extra long notes. She is able to maintain a healthy margin in her vocal comfort zone and does not overreach at any point during the performance.

Cover songs play a major role on ‘Live!’ as Brown gives her own spin on classics like “Dancing In the Streets” and “Respect.” On the former, Brown’s vocals mesh well with the harmonica and other instruments that do not normally accompany her. As for the latter, Brown transforms into a sultry soul songstress and displays her incredible range and masterful inflections. In both cases, Brown is sure to give the bands their dues by letting them feature instrumental solos.

It is on “Some Kind of Wonderful,” however, where Brown ratchets her performing skills up to another stratosphere, as she really reaches down into the depths of her soul to deliver a sassy Christina Aguilera-like showcase, with the highlight of the track coming at its finale.

As for her cover of Macy Gray’s “Come Together,” the track was written with James Montgomery and The Uptown Horns in mind, as its funky style creates a relaxed atmosphere and its lyrics carry a positive message (“And the sun shines laughter when we live as one / And there’s peace with those who believe in love”). The album’s finale comes in the form of Brown’s take on “Absolutely Everybody,” which takes on a life of its own thanks to the brass instrumentation that surrounds her emotion-laced vocals.

The iTunes bonus track, a studio version of “Come Together,” is an ear-pleasing piece that incorporates all the strong points of the live version while allowing for a polished final product.

With a little help from veteran acts The James Montgomery Blues Band and The Uptown Horns, Ayla Brown nails her foray into live albums and keeps fans invested in her career ahead of her forthcoming studio release ‘Circles’ in April 2010.

Ayla Brown Live! can now be purchased at iTunes ($6.93).