The Reverend Shawn Amos – Soul Brother No. 1
Immediate Family Records – 2024
10 tracks; 36 minutes
The Reverend Shawn Amos shows us a different side to his musical persona on this disc which is heavier and more soulful than some of his previous work. This time around Shawn wrote the lyrics but left the music to collaborators from within the band. Recording in L.A. with producer James Saez, he assembled a studio team of his regular guitarist Chris Roberts, keyboard player Dapo Torimoro, bassist Jerry ‘Wyzard’ Seay and drummer Steve Ferrone, plus a slew of guest artists: The McCrary Sisters contribute to three songs, vocalist Denise Carite is on most of the remaining tracks and horns (Scott Mayo on sax and Javier Gonzalez on trumpet) appear on two cuts. Others appearing include Brady Blade (drums), Leon Mobley (congas), Harrison Finks (keys), Noah Bellamy (guitar).
Opener “Revelation” has grungy guitar and finds Shawn revealing that the scales have fallen from his eyes. Some torrid harp adds to the harsh feel of the tune which keeps Shawn’s vocals back in the mix, giving a slightly ominous feel to the song. Shawn wants to talk about love in “Stone Cold Love” before a key song on the album, “What It Is To Be Black”, a big production number with choral vocals and the horns adding depth, Shawn discussing his own experiences of being a black man, definitely the key song here. The McCrary’s stay on board for “Back To The Beginning”, a slower, moodier tune with Shawn’s plaintive harp setting up a confessional song about finding oneself. “It’s All Gonna Change (For The Better)” is more uptempo with plenty of swirling organ and wah guitar, Shawn taking an optimistic view of the future.
James Brown famously referred to himself as “Soul Brother No. 1” but Shawn adopts the title here, taking the confident persona of JB over a funky beat with some horn jabs, making this both a personal statement and a tribute to JB. The laid back feel of “Circles” makes a good contrast before Shawn and the band rock out on “Hammer”. The sole cover here is Sly Stone’s “Don’t Call Me Nigger, Whitey”, plenty of wah guitar and Shawn’s harp and given an African feel from the hand percussion, the lyrics fitting well with the lyrical direction of Shawn’s songs here. The album closes on a gentler tune, “Things Will Be Fine” which features Shawn dueting with Denise Carite and offers a positive finale to the album.
Clearly a very personal album, this one should appeal to listeners who enjoy the funkier side of soul and R&B.
