Laura Mvula with Metropole Orkest conducted by Jules Buckley at Abbey Road Studios

While I hadn't warmed to Mvula's other works, I love her voice with this orchestral offering. It's beautiful.

Simply noted, her heart seems to bring to mind that of an offering similar to a millennial Billie Holiday. I am touched and look forward to more contributions from this artist.

Laura’s performances here have a looser, more “lived in” vibe than the versions on Sing to the Moon, which I imagine is a result of lots of live gigs. To me, the orchestra overwhelms some of the more intimate songs, but overall the arrangements are brilliant. As another reviewer pointed out, the huge amount of ambience on Laura's voice is distracting. I guess it's supposed to enhance the concert hall effect, but whoever mixed the project went way off the deep end with it, literally. Anyway, one star off for that, but otherwise if you’re a fan this will tide you over nicely until Laura's next full length release.

It's my therapy. I've played it constantly for the past year and I continue to be amazed. Thank you!

Absolutely beautiful

She is so beautiful, her voice is beautiful, and her musical style is beautiful. Her songs were amazing on her first album, but adding the orchestra has put them on a totally different and higher level. Each song is so amazing and tells and interesting story. JUST BEAUTIFUL!

The Metropole Orkest, as always, is flawless—great musicianship in every respect. The recording quality is as good as I’ve heard for the orchestra. Jules Buckley’s orchestrations of Laura Mvula’s music are also beautiful and rich. Ms. Mvula has an excellent voice and, judging from the album cover is stunningly beautiful. But!! The individual songs are dismal and dreadfully boring. Each song drones on and on with repeating two or four bar phrases with virtually no dynamic, tonal or emotional variety whatsoever. I lasted through seven songs, waiting for SOMETHING to happen. It never did. But I shall not loose faith. Since the Metropole is the finest Jazz/Pop orchestra on the planet I intend to continue buying every recording they put out. An occasional turkey should be expected. As Dizzy Gillespie observed, you really can’t fault a musician who needs to pay the rent.

This album gives me all of the new age Nina Simone my life needs from album cover through each track and back again!!!! Great work!

THIS IS SO TASTY!!! Lol! Laura is easily one of the most talented musicians/geniuses around right now. It soooo good to hear music like this.

With all that's going on this week in the US: Ferguson, Robin Williams, the Purge. It has been a great relief. Thank you Laura. Thank you.