Artist: Royal Southern Brotherhood
Album: The Royal Gospel
Bitrate: 256kbps avg
Quality: EAC Secure Mode / LAME 3.98.4 / -V0 / 44.100Khz
Label: Ruf Records
Genre: Rock
Size: 106.64 megs
PlayTime: 0h 55min 14sec total
Rip Date: 2016-07-02
Store Date: 2016-06-16
Track List:
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01. Where There's Smoke There's 4:39
Fire
02. I've Seen Enough To Know 5:02
03. Blood Is Thicker Than Water 6:04
04. I Wonder Why 4:22
05. I'm Comin' Home 4:28
06. Everybody Pays Some Dues 3:06
07. Face Of Love 4:07
08. Land Of Broken Hearts 4:21
09. Spirit man 4:28
10. Hooked On The Plastic 4:55
11. Can't Waste Time 4:04
12. Stand Up 5:38
Release Notes:
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This funk/soul/blues/rock outfitÆs fourth studio album in four years (there is
also a live offering) finds them losing yet another key founding member in
bassist Charlie Wooton. ThatÆs on top of replacing both original guitarists Mike
Zito and Devon Allman on the actÆs previous outing, leaving only drummer Yonrico
Scott and frontman vocalist Cyril Neville as original members. Regardless, the
basic sound and structure of the quintetÆs tough, often swampy roots music
hasnÆt changed substantially even if the personnel has.
Recording live in New OrleansÆ famed Dockside Studios with noted producer David
Z at the helm over a short seven day session helps capture the live sparks that
fly at a typical Brotherhood show and pushes some of the weaker compositions
into the red zone. ClichΘd originals with titles such as the opening ôWhere
ThereÆs Smoke ThereÆs Fire,ö ôBlood is Thicker than Water,ö ôIÆm CominÆ Homeö
and the always hackneyed ôStand Upö donÆt bode well for the proceedings on sight
alone. Yet once you dig in, there is plenty of meaty, soulful rock, much of it
with a positive, yet not preachy message similar to that of ôWhatÆs So Funny
About Peace, Love and Understandingö that Neville and his brothers have been
preaching for decades.
Neville is the star of this show, and always has been both vocally and
compositionally (he co-writes the bulk of the material), but guitarists Tyrone
Vaughn and Bart Walker contribute occasional lead singing and tunes that also
lean towards the social issues implied by the albumÆs spiritually oriented
title. The five-piece seems particularly comfortable digging into a slow swamp
groove as on Pops StaplesÆ ôI Wonder Why,ö an inspired choice and one of only
two covers, where Neville testifies with churchy call and response backing
vocals exuding an approach he has been successful at for the majority of his
extensive career. Walker gets songwriting assistance from veteran Gary Nicholson
on ôSpirit Manö as the group grinds out a strong, sinewy rhythm.
The acoustic, somewhat sappy ballad ôFace of Loveö tosses more shopworn phrases
(ôyou put a smile on the face of loveö) our way but is saved by a stinging
guitar solo and, as usual, NevilleÆs never less than committed vocals. The song
is in stark contrast to the harder rock of ôLand of Broken Heartsö that also
smartly obscures somewhat simplistic words behind the grinding, bluesy groove
this band revels in. The husky funk of ôCanÆt Waste Timeö references NevilleÆs
years in the Funky Meters even if it sounds like a throwaway these guys could
crank out in their sleep.
You may wish the tunes were more memorable, yet NevilleÆs gutsy singing, the
collective playing and overall rugged/righteous vibe is enough to recommend this
to any fan of soulful Southern rock and funk, a genre these guys all but own.