Album Review: Late Nights and Early Mornings (Marsha Ambrosius 2011)

Marsha Ambrosius, former member of the R&B duo Floetry, has finally released her debut album righteously entitled, “Late Nights & Early Mornings.” You may remember Floetry during their 2000 debut Floetic, which produced signature singles like “Say Yes" and "Getting Late.” The duo even received four Grammy nods but decided to part ways after releasing a second album in 2005.

Late Nights and Early Mornings is a soulful masterpiece, thoughtfully put together to give its listeners a visual and emotional experience. This is album is definitely “GROWN-FOLK” music with many ballads geared to get you in the mood. With an overture of slow tempo mood-setting beats, Ambrosius definitely knows how to heat up the night. 

The album to me is a story about someone who has been hurt by love from all angles possible that include the love shared between best friends and the love shared between lovers. It is apparent that Ambrosius is speaking from her heart and has finally found grounds to move forward and be free, which she describes in her track “LOSE MYSELF” where she says she had to lose herself to love you better.  Marsha’s signature track, “I Hope She Cheats On You (with a basketball player)" has scored #1 with women across the world. In this track Marsha reflects on a relationship that went bad and how she hopes what happened to her happens to him.

Other songs on the track include “With You” a very sexually charged ballad being song so soulfully over romantic-inspired beats. You will find the dramatic energy in her voice and this song thrilling.  “Far Away,” another song on marsha’s album, is one that deals with the issue of acceptance and how she lost a friend to suicide because he was different from the norm (if you saw the video, her best friend was gay and committed suicide).  Another track I want to highlight is “TEARS” which reminded me of an old-school Etta James inspired track (similar to “All I Could Do Was Cry”) where she literally cries through her voice.

Overall, this album is a definite banger. It’s storyline and content are worth every penny. I would recommend this album who is in need of music with substance with a voice that is pleasing to the ear. I caution you,  “Late Nights and Early Mornings” may cause a mental orgasm to those truly in love with the soul of R&B.

Romaro Spivey 2011