The Soul Truth
"You better step aside, I'm a woman on a mission," declares the daughter of the late blues guitar greatJohnny Copeland, as she kicks off her fourth album in typically feisty form. Aided by a stellar cast of rootsy pros led by producer/guitaristSteve Cropperand includingChuck Leavellon piano,Felix Cavaliereon organ, ex-Zappa drummer Chester Thompson, and saxman Jim Horn, Shemekia delivers the soul, funk, and swamp-rock goods. Disappointed with the lack of gutsy music on the radio ("Who Stole My Radio?"), she aims to rectify that situation with a dozen slabs of tough, tight, barnstorming R&B; that she energizes with her sassy attitude and grits-'n-gravy voice.Meshing the sweat of Memphis with the pleading, deep-fried sizzle of Muscle Shoals in its prime, the songs onThe Soul Truthshift from bluesy, testifying ballads ("Strong Enough") to horn-infused steamy funkers ("Better Not Touch") to late-night gospel ballads (Dobie Grayswings in to duet on "Used") with the effortless, down-home intensity of Otis Redding. You won't find her on MTV or in the top 40, but for those who reject the plastic, Pro Tools-sculpted pop and slick cookie-cutter music that dominates the airwaves, Shemekia Copeland speaks the "soul truth."--Hal Horowitz