JESSE JAMES (real nameJames Howard McCelland) is a proper cult soul man. By that I mean the Californian-born singer/songwriter has never made the major leagues in his home country but in the UK and throughout Europe he’s revered by serious soul collectors and connoisseurs who love and respect his authentic, old school take on classic, Southern soul. Now in his 80s, JJ is still knocking out quality soul music as witnessed by this new album from ever-dependable boutique label, SOUL JUNCTION.
‘Back On Top Again’ (an apt title) continues SJ’s long standing relationship with Jesse. That very special relationship has seen the label release a slew of JJ singles (the most recent being his February collaboration with Shirley Diamond on the stunning, ‘You Don’t Know (Who You Sleeping With))’ and a wonderful long player, 2012’s ‘Let Me Show You’. And the 9 tracker that is ‘Back On Top Again’ maintains the high quality of all those previous releases.
This new album is a collection of Jesse’s most recent recordings and if you claim to be a soul lover, you need to investigate pronto! The music, you see, is the kind of Southern soul (think Malaco) that too many nay sayers claim just isn’t being made any more!
Most of the nine tracks are soulful mid-tempo, heartfelt grooves with classic soul style short intro monologue. The title track (which opens proceedings) sets the scene perfectly. On many LPs, it would be a highlight, but this album delivers many more – like ‘Another Love Lay Over’ (another collaboration with Shirley Diamond) and the grittier ‘Keep It On The Hush Hush’ . Equally excellent is Jesse’s cover of Harvey Scales’ previousy unissued ‘I’d Be A Fool 2 Fool Around On You’. By the way the album features another three Scales’ co-penned songs.
For sonic variety, the contemporary commentary that is ‘I Lost My Baby On Facebook’ is tough and funky with a rap from Donnie McKisic (but, please, don’t let that put you off!) while ‘What Happened To The O-O Wee’ (one of those Scales songs) is perky and jaunty! The album ends with a bright ‘I Put A Claim On That Thing ‘which owes a lot to someone called Bobby Womack – no bad thing! Indeed ‘Back on Top Again’ is the sort of album that dear Bobby would have been proud to make – yes, it’s soul as it was and soul as it should be!
The release date is May 24th. Learn more @ https://www.souljunctionrecords.co.uk/
(BB) 4/5
