Soul Return’s Soul Return: A Blues Journey That Hits You Right in the Feels
Man, let me tell ya—when I first spun Soul Return, the self-titled blues album from this French crew (yeah, France!), it felt like stepping into a smoky juke joint where time doesn’t exist. Released back in 2018 on DixieFrog Records, this record is one of those hidden gems you stumble across and can’t stop talking about. It's raw, real, and dripping with soul. Like someone opened a vein and poured out their heart straight onto vinyl.
The band’s got some serious talent behind ‘em too. Kellie Rucker kills it on vocals and harmonica, while J.J. Holiday lays down guitar licks that make your spine tingle. And shoutout to Michel Barsimanto—he’s pulling triple duty on drums, percussion, AND backing vocals like a total boss. Oh, and Joe Sublett? Dude brings the saxophone heat on track two, adding just enough swagger to keep things spicy.
Now, full disclosure—I couldn’t get through every single song without hitting repeat on a couple tracks. Let me break ‘em down for ya.
First up: "If These Walls Could Talk." Holy crap, this tune hits hard. The opening riff grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. Kellie’s voice has this raspy, lived-in quality that makes you believe every word she’s singing. She ain’t just telling a story; she’s living it. You can almost picture those walls whispering secrets, holding decades of pain and regret. By the end, I was sitting there thinking about all the places I’ve been and the stories they could tell if only they could talk. Heavy stuff, man.
Then there’s "Va Va Voom," which flips the vibe completely. This one’s got groove for days, with a bassline so smooth it oughta come with a warning label. Keith Karman really shows off his chops here, laying down a rhythm that feels like cruising down an open highway at sunset. When Kellie sings “va va voom,” you don’t just hear it—you feel it. There’s something undeniably sexy yet playful about this track, like it knows exactly how cool it is but isn’t trying too hard. It’s the kind of song that makes you wanna grab someone close and dance till your feet hurt.
But honestly, what sticks with me most about Soul Return isn’t any one track—it’s the whole damn mood of the thing. Listening to this album feels like having a late-night conversation with an old friend over whiskey and cigarettes. It’s messy, honest, and sometimes uncomfortable, but always worth it.
Here’s the kicker though—what’s wild is realizing this came out of France. Not exactly the first place you think of when it comes to blues, right? But maybe that’s part of its charm. Sometimes the best art comes from unexpected places, reminding us that music doesn’t care about borders or labels.
So yeah, give Soul Return a listen. Just be ready—it might leave you wondering why more people aren’t talking about it. Or maybe why you haven’t booked a flight to Paris yet.
