Soul Legend Martha Reeves Returns with New Album 'Searching'

Martha Reeves, approaching her 85th birthday, is celebrating a musical milestone with the upcoming release of her first album in over two decades, titled "Searching," due August 14. This new collection, which Reeves describes as "a spark of life," was recorded in New Orleans to offer a change of scenery, with trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis and her manager Chris Roe serving as co-producers.

The album "Searching" delves into a rich musical landscape, featuring a rendition of the Syreeta-Stevie Wonder duet "To Know You Is to Love You," a newly recorded version of her unreleased Sixties Motown track "I've Got It Bad," her gospel composition "Thank You, Jesus," and jazz standards like "Summertime" and "Mood Indigo." The New Orleans setting and Marsalis' production infuse the music with both classic Motown soul and jazz influences.

Originally conceived as a jazz project, the album evolved to encompass R&B and blues as Reeves' powerful vocals took center stage. The influence of Stevie Wonder is palpable, with a funky, horn-driven version of "To Know You Is to Love You" and a more downtempo bonus track. Reeves also embraces challenges, delivering a heartfelt rendition of Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo," a song she fell in love with while performing in the musical "Ain't Misbehavin'."

Reeves, who remains active and sees no meaning in the word "retirement," continues to perform her Motown hits live, delighting new generations of fans. The album "Searching" not only showcases her enduring vocal prowess but also reflects her deep roots in gospel music, stemming from her upbringing in her grandfather's church in Georgia.