'Sleeping Beauty': Abby Dobson's dream

Abby Dobson isn't one to compromise her artistic vision.

The Freeport singer-songwriter blends R&B, jazz, reggae, neosoul and a bit of pop on her recent album "Sleeping Beauty: You Are the One You Have Been Waiting On" (LadyBraveBird), and she's OK with it not reaching everyone.

"I think people love it or they don't get it," she says, laughing. "It's a music lover's kind of album."

Dobson doesn't go for the quick hit. She prefers to let a groove build and then adds her silky, soulful voice to the mix. On the lilting "I'm Drownin'," she lures you into her horn-filled island paradise and the next thing you know six-minutes-plus have floated by.

"Not everyone's going to get through a Toni Morrison book," Dobson says. "But if you do, it will reward you. Yes, the songs are long, but the music is top-notch and I think the singing is pretty good, too."

That's a bit of understatement. Dobson's gorgeous singing already has landed her some major gigs, opening for Jamie Foxx and Robin Thicke. This year, she's on one of the Blue Note Jazz Festival's prominent showcases, with Grammy nominee Gregory Porter and Kendra Ross, who will perform with supporter Talib Kweli.

Though Dobson knows "Sleeping Beauty" won't be a massive pop hit, she does believe a lot of people would love it, and she's trying to find ways to connect with those people.

"The concept is worth shouting about," she says. "You are the one you've been waiting on. Go find your thing in the world and do it."

Abby Dobson plays HighLine Ballroom, 431 W. 16th St., Manhattan, 212-414-5994, at 8 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 through Ticketweb, ticketweb.com.