Two years ago, Marsha Ambrosius let the world know that she had completed work on a new album with the legendary Dr. Dre. News on that album, titled Casablanco, has been relatively scarce since. That ends now, however, as Marsha offers up the first taste of what’s in store on the set’s lead single “The Greatest.”
The track surprisingly goes for a cinematic feel, with Marsha starting the song with the verve of an old-school torch singer as strings swell, horns blare and piano keys twinkle. The sound of a plane whooshing by leads us into the song, the first half of which is based heavily on “Park Avenue Beat” — otherwise known as the theme song for the classic TV drama Perry Mason. Halfway through, the groove shifts to sample the Ahmad Jamal Trio’s “I Love Music.” That cut, perhaps best known to the hip-hop generation as the sample propelling Nas’ “The World Is Yours.”
The use of both samples gives the track an ample amount of drama, though it’s Marsha’s grand diva vocal that brings it the most. She plays the role of a moody, lovestruck woman who’s got it real bad for her fella. “You said the day I met you that you’d never let me go / Enchanted by your passion, I’m enamored, got me wanting you,” she croons. “And the things you do to me / You’re by far / The greatest of them all.”
Sadly, “The Greatest” doesn’t come with a definitive date of when we can expect Casablanco. But the singer has offered up dates for upcoming shows at different City Winery locations across the country, kicking off with two shows tonight (December 5th) in Chicago. You can check those out below and find tickets by visiting the City Winery website. But first, take a listen to the latest from Marsha Ambrosius right here.
Marsha Ambrosius City Winery Tour dates:
Dec. 5: Chicago, IL (6 p.m. show)
Dec. 5: Chicago, IL (9:30 p.m. show)
Dec. 6: Chicago, IL (6 p.m. show)
Dec. 6: Chicago, IL (9:30 p.m. show)
Dec. 7: St. Louis, MO (6 p.m. show)
Dec. 7: St. Louis, MO (9:30 p.m. show)
Dec. 12: New York, NY (6 p.m. show)
Dec. 12: New York, NY (9 p.m. show)
Dec. 14: Boston, MA (6 p.m. show)
Dec. 14: Boston, MA (9:30 p.m. show)
Dec. 15: Philadelphia, PA (6:30 p.m. show)
Dec. 15: Philadelphia, PA (9:30 p.m. show)
Dec. 16: Pittsburgh, PA (6:30 p.m. show)
Dec. 16: Pittsburgh, PA (9:30 p.m. show)
Dec. 17: Atlanta, GA (7 p.m. show)
Dec. 17: Atlanta, GA (10 p.m. show)
Dec. 18: Atlanta, GA (7 p.m. show)
Dec. 18: Atlanta, GA (10 p.m. show)
