Reviewed by Tony Cummings

I first became aware of singer Brenden "Proclaim" McPeek when he was a member of Shachah, an intriguing four-piece who made two albums for Cross Movement Records and fused funk rock with hip-hop. Now the hugely talented Californian with the soulful pipes has put together a new aggregation and the songs they play show an impressive ability to move from lithe funk grooves to warm homages to the classic Motown sound. The bass and drums (from Tyler Chester and Dan Bailey) are particularly impressive and bring a danceable undertone to Brenden's gritty vocals while the horn section is top rate. I bet on stage this ensemble are an absolute gas and for those who like the idea of old school soul gospel for a new generation of listeners, this album is a must.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.