It's too bad that Nikka Costa can't seem to catch a commercial break like similar artists Joss Stone and Nelly Furtado, because Costa has more talent in a strand of her fiery red hair than those two have combined. Being the daughter of legendary producer Don Costa and goddaughter to Frank Sinatra, it's not like Costa hasn't been around success her whole life. Hell, she even got to open for artists as wide ranging as Don Ho to The Police all before the age of 10. Yet, strange though it may seem, Costa's still waiting for her chance to shine as an adult. Hopefully Can'tneverdidnothin' won't be another of her albums to fall on deaf ears, because slick female vocal driven funky pop doesn't get much better than this.

Even though Costa has yet to find the type of worldwide audience one would expect, thankfully people in the industry have taken notice of her talent and have lent their support. American Idol judge Randy Jackson isn't the first person I'd run out to endorse, but I have to give him props as Costa's manager for making sure no one is trying to water-down Costa's natural jaw-dropping chops. Being the personally handpicked opener for Prince and Lenny Kravitz recently must have done wonders for Costa too, because their presence and sense of style is evident all over this record. Costa has to be making a proud mentor out of Prince with her exuberant yelps and yowls on barnstormers like "Till I Get To You" and the titled track, and Kravitz himself actually guests on bass and drums throughout most of the record.

The biggest highlights here though is simply Costa's raw God given gift. For example on "Swing It Around," her multiple talents are on full display - even creating her own bass lines with nothing but her voice. And on "Funkier Than A Mosquita's Tweeter" Costa's intense delivery floats effortlessly on a cloud of swift conga beats. Sometimes Can'tneverdidnothin' can be a little too slick for its own good, but I understand that sometimes a little bit of syrup can go a long way when reaching toward that mainstream appeal. Such trifling matters are easy to forgive on an album that's so damn good.