Product Description
In 2017, Memphis' {|Southern Avenue|} issued a self-titled long-player that directly straddled rootsy Delta blues and stripped-down Southern soul and gospel. 2019's Grammy-nominated {|Keep On|} stuck closer to the big-city blues while providing a vehicle for the instrumental prowess of guitarist {|Ori Naftaly|} and keyboardist {|Jeremy Powell|}. {|Be the Love You Want|} stands in marked contrast to both. Co-produced by {|Naftaly|} and {|Los Lobos|}' {|Steve Berlin|}, this set adds big-beat R&B and funk to the mix without sacrificing any roots appeal. While the production is cleaner here, it's hardly slick. Further, the songwriting towers above previous efforts. {|Berlin|} and {|Naftaly|} brought in horns, additional keys, and backing singers. They created a studio atmosphere to highlight the sublime, resonant lead vocals (and lyrics) of {|Tierinii Jackson|} with a new emphasis on their killer rhythm section of drummer and backing vocalist {|Tikyra Jackson|}, and rocksteady bassist {|Evan Sarver|}. The title-track opener is an anthem dedicated to radical self-acceptance, empowerment, and hope. A pumping guitar and organ vamp is appended by funky snare breaks and fat sweaty horns all driven by the bassline. {|Jackson|} testifies, Tired of trying apologizing/When guilt takes over you/Be your bravest find your greatness/Your mistakes are not you...now is the time to rewrite your story¿. The tempo rages, the horns cascade around her voice, and the backing chorus rises like a gospel choir to buoy her exhortations. On single Control, congas and silvery guitars recall {|Curtis Mayfield|}'s early-'70s soul-gospel approach but the band slips out to weave a snaky tapestry of psychedelic soul, blues, and funk. {|Jackson|}'s voice and {|Naftaly|}'s distorted wah-wah guitar entwine on the glorious Don't Hesitate (Call Me), a midtempo soul-blues buoyed by resonant lyrics pouring from the singer's mouth like water. Heathen Hearts is a stirring, syncopated, 21st century gospel-blues performed solely by the {|Jackson|} sisters. Move Into the Light is horn-drenched Southern funk with fuzzed-out guitars, double-timed breaks, and rambling bassline framing {|Jackson|}'s soaring vocals and edifying message. Love You Nice and Slow is a sexy midtempo soul jam. The grain in {|Jackson|}'s emotional commitment to the words shines through her requisite sense of control. Too Good to Be True weds elegant soul to jazz-pop in an airy groover with a fist-pumping chorus. Pressure and closer Move On are uptempo rave-ups, blending together soul, hard funk, raw gospel, and blues with punchy horns, spidery keys, and squalling guitars. {|Be the Love You Want|} certainly showcases {|Southern Avenue|}'s growth as a band, but more than this, its 12 masterfully written songs deliver beauty, hope, and grace with a power than can only come from vulnerability and rigorous emotional honesty. ~ Thom Jurek
