Teedra Moses is a miracle worker. The Crescent City native has managed to remain near and dear to R&B lovers' hearts despite releasing only one studio album in 11 years. A large part of that oversized adoration is due to the tremendous impact and cult appeal of Moses' debut, Complex Simplicity; the other hook in her lasting allure has been her extraordinarily intimate live performances, which have continued steadily despite a lack of a new album. There's also the tone of her songs: she relates to everyday women like Mary J. Blige, yet also possesses Betty Wright's sass, something that makes the men melt. Now, after a bevy of mixtapes, guest appearances, and some release-date false alarms, Moses has finally delivered a follow-up album, Cognac & Conversation.
Cognac's mood plays out like a continuation of Complex, the writing evocative of quintessential New Orleans. The misery of rubbing Moses the wrong way soon gives way to the euphoria of being on the receiving end of her affection—it's the R&B cycle of life. "Skin Diver" is an example of the latter. This is a musical situation we've never previously heard Teedra in, starting out at a slow wind, before Central African Republic-based house producer, Boddhi Satva steps up and turns it into a seductive down-tempo beat highlight. (The song also appears on the producer's new album, Transition, in a far more dance-floor-friendly, but no less sexy mix.) "Others give you pressure / I'm on my grind / Ain't gotta stress ya / In the end you'll be mine," intones the singer. Well worth the wait, Ms. Moses.
Cognac & Conversation is out now on Shanachie Records.
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