Despite the pandemic and lockdowns, the last couple of years have been good ones for Detroit based LAURA RAIN AND THE CAESARS (essentially husband and wife team – guitarist George Friend and vocalist Laura Rain). Indeed the duo put the enforced lockdowns to good use releasing a series of singles which they dubbed their “Soul Journey” . That special pilgrimage culminated in the still-lovely ‘Closer To The Win’ – a sweet but soulful ballad with an old school Philly feel. Soul connoisseurs took it to their hearts; it wasa soul chart topper and when released by UK based LRK Records on 7” it sold out in a matter of days.
Since then Laura and her team have issued a couple more singles – the up-tempo romp ‘I Am’ and the organ-led, old school Detroit flavoured ‘Rise Again’ – both excellent examples of the art of contemporary soul.
We were told that both those tunes were from an upcoming long player – indeed the album is to be named for ‘Rise Again’. We now know that the set will be released via LRK Records on April 8th. . Laura, though, is a long-standing friend of this web site. We were the first European media to give her coverage and our initial championing of ‘Closer To The Win’ helped break it! Consequently Laura has allowed us a sneak preview of the ‘All Rise’ album and we can tell you that the 10 track vinyl LP is a real soul corker!
It’s a pleasing mix of up-tempo items and smouldering ballads all driven by Laura’s melismatic vocals and George’s sympathetic productions. Sounding like a standout to us right now is a wonderful ‘Bring It On Back’ which sounds like another ‘Closer To The Win’ to these ears.
‘I’m Yours’ is another future soul classic. It’s a properly soulful 80s throwback riding a tight dancefloor groove… no wonder Laura and her team have chosen it as the brand new single. It’s a real grabber and will be good to go from February 11th. More good news? Well, those who missed out on some of Laura’s earlier singles need to know that five of ’em are included as bonus tracks on the CD release of ‘All Rise’ (they include, of course, ‘Closer to the Win’).
LAURA RAIN AND THE CAESARS ; single ‘I’m Yours’ released February 11th; ’RISE AGAIN’ album released April 8th via LRK RECORDS find out more @ https://lrkrecords.bandcamp.com/
