When you think of Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, Jill Scott, Ledisi, and Erykah Badu, you automatically think in your mind, "YES! These are woman who can sing! I LOVE their music." Well, I'd like to add another to that list. Not so new that you don't recognize who she is, but she has stepped out on her own and made an impression on the music industry. I'm talking about Ms. Marsha Ambrosius. Some of you may know her as the "songstress" from the dynamic duo formerly known as Floetry. Some of you may have even heard her mixed tapes (and probably even made a few babies off of songs such as "Let Me Go" and "Take Care"). Now at a pinnacle moment of her career, this beautiful songbird releases her debut album, Late Nights and Early Mornings, which promises to be a reflection of who she is, what she's been through to get to this point in her career, and just enough hint of Floetry that makes you remember why you loved her from the very beginning.

Its hard to pick a favorite on this album. The replay value is so solid that one can only just close their eyes and enjoy. The album opens with a song called "Anticipation" (how fitting). The song is about desire and passion (as is pretty much the theme of the entire album). Have you ever had a desire so strong that sometimes it can be unbearable? Well Marsha pretty much sums that up in this song. It's a powerful intro that sets a very sensual tone for the rest of the album. This kind of passion is heard throughout each song. Tracks such as "Lose Myself", " I Want You To Stay", " Your Hands", and the title track "Late Nights and Early Mornings" are what can be called the good lovin' and knockin' boots all night long kind of music. The not so favorite of some tracks "I Hope She Cheats" is a song that is an acquired taste, however the relatable factor in this song is recognizable. If one is honest, not everyone wishes their exes well wishes after a break up (that is not the case for me, but if this is you, then you do understand where Marsha is coming from). That period of reality after a breakup is difficult when you are completely involved and are unsure of what happens next. This involvement and struggle can also be heard in "The Breakup Song". I remember hearing Marsha play this at SOBs in NYC when she performed for her birthday. You can literally hear the crying hearts and sniffles from almost every person in the venue. You can hear the genuineness in Marsha's voice as she croons "I need space, let me decide where to go from here before I lose my mind. We both know its for the best." Taking the steps to overcome a past relationship and better yourself for the next one is a process that requires a strong spirit. Not everyone is able to express themselves adequately as to dealing with the hurt from a relationship. Marsha was able to do that on this album and bring about an epiphany from the situation. These are all the more reasons why Marsha continues to soar as one of the most sought after songwriters in the industry.

As stated earlier, picking a favorite is kind of hard to do when you relate to an album on so many different levels. Nevertheless, there are always the chosen few that make you hit that rewind button on your iPod at least four times. The second track on the album, "With You" is a love song like no other. It speaks the desire as earlier mentioned, but takes it to another level. Some may translate this as an extension of "Say Yes" from Marsha's earlier days when she sings, "When I look at your face, I know what I/m feeling. Can't nobody tell me nothing. 'Cause I know what I'm doing." In the heat of the moment, the only thing that matters is being in the presence of the person you admire and enveloping their entire being. That's a strong power to endure, but a good one to encounter. "Sour Times" is a different kind of pace for the songstress. This song, which seems to be more like a diary entry, speaks to the insecurities as it relates to dealing with others and moving forward. You feel her anguish as she belts "covered by the blind relief, the fantasies of simple springs, bear the fact; assume that I'd end the vows, no need to lie. Enjoy. Take ride, take a shot now...nobody loves me its true, nobody loves me like you do. All I have left are my memories of yesterday. Oh these sour times". Yearning for a lost love is difficult, but it moving forward is even harder. There is always one step you have to go through before you get to the next. And in moving on, knowing when to let go is also important. "Far Away", which is my favorite on the album, touches a space in every heart that has heard it. As a dedication to her friend who committed suicide, Marsha is very expressive in her yearning for her friend, nevertheless finding the strength the move forward. "Tear stains on my pillow, trying to forget you, don't know what I'm gonna do." This is a very personal song for Marsha, as well as many of us who have heard it and has every lost someone close to us. The message is clear in this song. No matter how good of a friend you are to someone, you never know the inner challenges that they face daily. Continue to support and be the love that your friends need, because you never know when your strength will help them get through.

Overall, I enjoy this album. Its good to see that Marsha has not lost her most precious gifts, her beautiful voice and unique writing ability.Late Nights and Early Morningsis a very good start from the songstress and I am pleased to say that I am not disappointed. Say what you want about Marsha, but you can’t help but to love and admire her tenacity, her gorgeous persona, and incredible talent. Oh, Marsha Marsha Marsha. We adore you.