Soul Messengers Vision & Faith Review by Gary Hill
This is a new release from a modern Australian band. I started the review with that statement because if you just start spinning this, it will definitely not be apparent. This feels like something that would have come out of the US soul scene circa 1960s-1970s. Even the recording itself sounds like that. This is a varied and potent release that works really well. It's a bit of a time-capsule experience in terms of the sound. It's, more than anything else, a lot of fun.
Let's Go to Bed This feels like a 1960s soul tune. Even the recording quality on the song has that kind of vibe. However, the lyrics have a bit of an overt sexual edge that you weren't likely to find in those days. This energized and fun.
It's Too Late for Tears
With a bit more of a jazz edge, this is a bit more understated in some ways. I love the guitar riff on this thing, though. The whole combination of sounds lands this more in the 1970s vein than the 60s. It has a lot of acid rock built into it, but there is still plenty of that soul sound, too. There is a definite journey into psychedelia later in the track, too.
Don't Let Them Tell You
A slower moving soul number, this feels like something that James Brown or Wilson Pickett might have done in the 1960s.
Whiplash
Old school soul is the order of business on this number. I love the horns on it. There is a bit of a funk vibe, and the guitar work is so classy.
Need Your Love So Bad Here is a slow blues grind turned soul music. It's a nice change and a strong piece of music. The organ adds a lot to this. The guitar solo is classic.
Eleanor Rigby
The first vocal section on this cut is just voice and percussion. From there we get more of a funky soulful arrangement of the Beatles classic. This is strong. While it loses some of the magic of the original, it brings in some new charms.
I'm Your Dog
This cut gets a parental advisory. That makes it seem like it must be modern. The sound of this old school psychedelia meets soul number feels more like it fits into the 1960s, though.
Wake Up '17 There is so much funk in the mix here. I love the horns. The whole cut just really works so well. In fact, I think this is my favorite song of the set. That makes it a great closer, too.
