That Ain't Right - The Leon Stax Equation (Digital Release)

 

I could stay on-line all day and still not stay ahead of all the Soul music across the genres that release daily and as I typically focus on vinyl releases anything else gets parsed out based on format which is silly i know but as Mr. Fletcher once sang 'I gotta draw the line somewhere' or i would be overwhelmed and not be able to see the woods from the trees. Lots (Most!) i give cursory listen to and then something newer comes along and i forget the previous. That's not commenting on the quality, i have a v. short attention span so novelty seeking is a driving force that dominates my activities to the detriment of deep analysis and appreciation which tends to allow releases to slip past.  Thankfully the soul community has never been backward to shout out when they hear something new so that everyone can get to hear it. This outfit landed on my desk, courtesy of my aul mucker David Meehan who digs continuously to satisfy his musical itch and kudos to him i fell in love with this one soon as i heard it. The track suggested to me 'That Aint Right' is a gem that lopes along at a mid tempo pace - vocals over a surprisingly sparse yet rich backing at the outset that just then opens up into this huge brass vista that reminds me of the likes of The Brooks or Monophonics. Staggeringly beautiful track. Taken from his 2nd album Coloured in Full, produced in his own home studio, that is due to drop on November 15th it will be interesting to hear the full set and compare to the debut album First Vibration (check out Niamh track on that one - savage tune!). Worth your while also whilst you are on Bandcamp to check out Coconut Bra which sits in that nu-soul groove with a huge bang of Laurel Canyon about it and on this autumnal day with the sun slanting in over the trees at the back of my yard, its a perfect soundtrack. You Dont Play is more orthodox in its movement with brass, thumping percussion and a bass in the pocket, this one funks along. And of course those vocals calling it all out... Hopefully i can get along to one of their live shows to hear them and to dive into their sound! Big things coming for these guys!