Posted on 05/15/2009
Oleta Adams has made a living of singing over silky-smooth instrumentation. On Let's Stay Here, it's more of the same, as she makes her intent perfectly clear: she wants you to sit back and relax, crack open that bottle of wine that's been chillin' in the fridge, turn the lights down low and listen to her sing about love and hope. To that end, the album serves its purpose. But without a standout song, this LP is dangerously close to being a cure for insomnia and not a cure for a long work day. Then again, that might be the point: to forget life's struggles for a moment by listening to some old school jazz.

Now, don't get me wrong: With Adams' deeply rich tone, Let's Stay Here is tailor-made for an afterhours lounge, or a radio station's Quiet Storm program. But in today's musical landscape, where bravado and braggadocio rule the airwaves, this album could easily be lost in the shuffle. This album is a throwback to grown folks' music, for sure, but it's also fairly bland and does little to grab the listener's attention.

On Let's Stay Here, Adams performs a solid cover of Nina Simone's "Feelin' Good" and conveys deep heartbreak on "No Way To Love Me." The album title track finds her embracing the simple things, "sipping mojitos and listening to Miles," while spending quality time with her man. "Act of Forgiveness," with its obvious gospel influence, finally picks up the record's race, but not in time to change the mood, since it's the album's last song.

Let's Stay Here is quintessential Adams, making it an easy favorite for her fans. However, new listeners might have trouble appreciating this recording. The album is perfect for background music in the house or in the car on a rainy day, but there are only a few gems that make you reach for the rewind button.

- Marcus Moore