Music review: Robert Randolph – 鈥楪ot Soul鈥�
Right from the opening note, Robert Randolph straight up wants to know if you鈥檝e got it. Soul that is. From the sound of his latest release, it鈥檚 clearly evident that Randolph has plenty of soul to share with everyone.
鈥淕ot Soul鈥� is the fifth studio release by Randolph and the Family Band.
It鈥檚 been three years since the release of 鈥淟ickety Split鈥� and the talented pedal steel guitarist, vocalist and songwriter seems rested and ready to flex some serious musical muscle with 12 sizzling tracks that contain a delicious flavoring of rock, funk, gospel, blues and R&B.
The title track ignites the spark that supplies fuel to a full-fledged house party and provides little opportunity to find a seat and catch your breath by quickly transitioning into 鈥淪he Got Soul.鈥�
The subject of having soul seamlessly changes to love as Darius Rucker joins the band and slows things down slightly with the smooth groove of 鈥淟ove Do What It Do.鈥� Rucker鈥檚 voice is still money when it comes to delivering a hit song that you simply can鈥檛 get out of your head.
Hootie and the Blowfish fans will be pumped to hear the former frontman鈥檚 temporary detour from country music for a return to his signature pop-rock days with the South Carolina band.
Randolph takes us to church by displaying his gospel roots on tracks like 鈥淏e the Change鈥� and 鈥淔ind a Way.鈥�
Randolph gets a little assistance from Snarky Puppy鈥檚 Cory Henry on a funky version of Sam and Dave鈥檚 鈥淚 Thank You.鈥� Also covered by ZZ Top, Randolph鈥檚 version possesses an infectious wall of sound that is perfectly suited for a dance club or street festival.
Randolph鈥檚 pedal steel guitar steals the spotlight on the instrumental tracks 鈥淗eaven鈥檚 Calling鈥� and 鈥淭ravelin鈥� Cheeba Man.鈥�
Randolph channels the raw energy of Lenny Kravitz on the rousing guitar rocker 鈥淟ovesick鈥� and serves up some guitar-driven rock on the heavy 鈥淚 Want It鈥� before closing the set with the optimistic R&B leanings of 鈥淕onna Be Alright.鈥�
Randolph and the Family Band will roll into Cleveland鈥檚 Beachland Ballroom on March 16.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer.
He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.