Memphis Retro-Soul Combo Southern Avenue Return With ‘Keep On’ (ALBUM REVIEW)

Southern Avenue returns with their highly anticipated second album, having become a popular act at festivals worldwide since their self-tilted 2017 Stax release, which was honored with a Blues Music Award for “Best Emerging Artist Album.” On Keep On the young quartet brings a refreshing approach to soul/blues/R&B for these contemporary times. They’ve got diverse musical interests, have absorbed some lessons along the way, attracted the interest of legendary guests like the legendary William Bell and noted Memphis musician Gage Markey who plays bass on most this recording. Also, they’ve called on the horns of the Bo-Keys – Art Edmaiston and Marc Franklin.

The core Southern Avenue unit is guitarist Ori Naftaly who built his reputation in his native Israel before joining up with the expressive Memphis born and raised singer Tierinii Jackson and her drummer sister Tikyra Jackson. Keyboardist Jeremy Powell is an early alumnus of Stax Records’ music academy. They recorded with producer Johnny Black (Jessie J., Daughtry, Estelle) at Sam Phillips Recording, along with the guests. Black nots, “the thing that stood out most to me about Southern Avenue is their dedication to making this record ‘the hard way.’ Even in their selection of studios; by picking Sam Phillips Recording, the band, in essence, forced themselves to record within the same parameters as some of their heroes. And while that process may have taken extra time, it was well worth the effort.”

The band members acknowledge that more planning and deliberations went into this one, and those results are evident from the fire of the opening title track. Most of it is very upbeat danceable R&B, perfect for their acclaimed live shows. These charged originals such as “Whiskey Love,” Savior,” “Too Good for You” and “We Are Not So Different” reveal the band harnessing their musical chops over which  Tierinii often wails as she does on “Whiskey Love.” “Savior” proves they can master the smooth, sultry R&B while “Switchup” shows they know their way around funk too.

”Lucky” sounds like vintage soul from the Stax classic catalog, especially with its use of the background vocalists until Naftaly’s incendiary guitar solo which takes it to a different level. The horn-infused “Jive” is blaring, super-charged soul.  Tierinni is such a commanding vocal presence, that most listeners need only hear a couple of tunes before yearning to see this band live. “We’ve Got the Music” is an ideal singalong radio song for those carefree drives. “She Gets Me High’ is pure blues, tracing back to how the band started. The closing “We’re Gonna Make It” returns more to classic soul, leaving us a bit nostalgic.

The band got started when Naftaly, who was raised on blues, soul and funk came to Memphis in 2013 to compete in the annual International Blues Challenge (IBC). Although he advanced to the semi-finals, he felt constrained by his own band and was seeking one with a broader vision. That desire was fulfilled quickly when he met Tierinii, who’d, as you might have expected, gotten her start singing in church, before performing with cover bands and in theatrical projects. Even without an album in place,  the band took its name from the Memphis street and quickly found success touring in the states and Europe. They gained momentum playing high profile festivals and reaching the finals of the IBC in 2016, representing Memphis. They signed with Stax less than a year after forming.

Not many bands have had such a fortuitous start. Southern Avenue’s trajectory will grow steeper with this one. Look for them at a festival near you. They have a festival packed touring schedule this summer.

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