My Content
Membership has its privileges! Sign up or sign in to gain full access to both All About Jazz and Jazz Near You. Learn more.
Robin McKelle & The Flytones: Soul Flower
First, Robin McKelle & The Flytones Soul Flower is not neo-soul. Neo-soul is what Amy Winehouse was and Cee Lo Green is (at least on his "Forget You"). Neo-soul is a cheeky attempt to cash in on a classic style while, at the same time, not taking it seriously. Second, Soul Flower might be better termed retro-soul, except that McKelle avoids the pitfall of clinging too tightly to the old style that has plagued other artists trying to put a new spin on the soul canon. A mixture of originals with some clever covers make up Soul Flower. McKelle is a more than capable composer—a roll she shares with Sam Barsh (bassist Avishai Cohen's former pianist).
For any Baby Boomer, Soul Flower can be eaten with a spoon. It is more Motown than Memphis by way of Muscle Shoals, and smacks of Bobbie Gentry having a pool party with Gladys Knight and the Pointer Sisters. McKelle possesses a contemporary authenticity that manifests in her assimilation of multiple older styles presented with a freshness that has the fragrance of experience re-imagined. Pianist Beat Kaestli Ben Stivers ' use of the electric piano lends this collection of a dozen songs that sound, which is at once retro and chic. This, coupled with McKelle's honesty, makes this a recording that should encourage a reappraisal of period soul and that being made today. And isn't that what all art is supposed to do?
For any Baby Boomer, Soul Flower can be eaten with a spoon. It is more Motown than Memphis by way of Muscle Shoals, and smacks of Bobbie Gentry having a pool party with Gladys Knight and the Pointer Sisters. McKelle possesses a contemporary authenticity that manifests in her assimilation of multiple older styles presented with a freshness that has the fragrance of experience re-imagined. Pianist Beat Kaestli Ben Stivers ' use of the electric piano lends this collection of a dozen songs that sound, which is at once retro and chic. This, coupled with McKelle's honesty, makes this a recording that should encourage a reappraisal of period soul and that being made today. And isn't that what all art is supposed to do?
Track Listing: So It Goes; Tell You One Thing; Nothing's Really Changed; Fairytale Ending; Miss You Madly; Don't Give Up; Walk on By; To Love Somebody; Change; I'm Ready; Love's Work; I'm a Fool to Want You.
Personnel: Robin McKelle: vocals; Derek Nievergelt: bass; Adrian Harpham: drums; Ben Stivers: keyboards; Al Street: guitar, Scott Aruda: trumpet; Mike Tucker: saxophone.
Title: Soul Flower | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Sony Masterworks
Tags
Robin McKelle & The Flytones
CD/LP/Track Review
Robin McKelle
C. Michael Bailey
DL Media
Sony Masterworks
United States
Avishai Cohen
Ben Stivers
Soul Flower
Shop for Music
Start your music shopping from All About Jazz and you'll support us in the process. Learn how.
Related Articles
Shop for Music
Start your music shopping from All About Jazz and you'll support us in the process. Learn how.
Album Showcase
-
Hr & Fru OrgelDuo Travels... by OrgelDuo
-
The Transitory Poems by Vijay Iyer and Craig Taborn
-
Five Roads by Mauricio de Souza
Jazz Poll
Help us identify the world's top 100 jazz venues. Voting takes seconds so please participate! Learn more.
Shop Amazon
Jazz Story
I love jazz because of its ability to evoke such tremendous emotion... primarily joy! I was first exposed to jazz by my grandparents. The first jazz record I bought was Jim Beard's Song of the Sun or maybe Steely Dan's Aja. My advice to new listeners: remain varied in your listening habits, and of course keep listening, keep listening, keep listening!
By Frank Jacoby
Member since: 2019
