THEE SACRED SOULS are a young(ish) young San Diego-based trio. If you’re a real soul fan you’ll already know all about them – a series of quality singles and one album (2022’s eponymous set) have established drummer/songwriter Alex Garcia, bassist/songwriter Sal Samano and vocalist Josh Lane as leading purveyors of the currently fashionable retro soul harmony sound – a contemporary take, if you would, on the classic sounds of 60s and 70s Philly, Chicago and Detroit with a garnish of the grit of Memphis, the optimism of Latin soul the romance of lowrider soul and, in places the lovely lilt of reggae . The band number amongst their heroes Smokey Robinson Marvin Gaye and the Delfonics while their producer/mentor, Daptone’s Gabe Roth (an acclaimed soul archivist) has introduced them to the more esoteric sound of bands like the Fabulous Performers and Jesse Boone and the Astros. Little wonder, then, that the sound of the “souls” is so intoxicating for fans of quality harmony soul.
Hear it in all its sweet gorgeousness on this, 12 tracker, the band’s second LP. The set opens with ‘Lucid Girl’ . The cut’s fronted by the gentle falsetto of Josh Lane supported by classic harmonies and a sympathetic backdrop – classic retro soul. The track was selected as the album’s lead single and it’s a perfect example of what Thee Sacred Souls “do”. The second album heralding single was the equally splendid, but gently different ‘Live For You’. This one rides a swirling guitar riff not a million miles away from Marvin’s ‘Mercy, Mercy, Me’. The third single was ‘Waiting on the Right Time’, which, though delivering the band’s signature sound was again slightly different – exploring a more psychedelic side to Thee Sacred Souls with a heavy reverb and a searing guitar line.
That trio of tracks still sound good – album highlights on any other set, but ‘Got A Story To Tell’ delivers plenty more. Try ‘My Heart Is Drowning’ – as good a retro soul ballad as you’ll hear all year. Here’s there’s’ a delicious melding of rock steady and the classic 60s girl group sound. Complete with sweet swirling strings, ‘On My Mind’ runs it close. The closing track, ‘I’m So Gald I Found You Baby’ is another ballad – almost doo-wop, its roots are in early 60s group soul. Quite lovely!
So, yes, a plethora of highlights – 12 tracks of ‘em in fact and the real beauty is that, though, each cut is obviously Thee Sacred Souls, each one is uniquely different, throwing up delicious surprises. Don’t you be surprised if this one’s nominated as one of 2024’s best soul albums!
(BB) 5/5
